VOL. 23, NO. 9	NOVEMBER 14, 1997

A page from the Web site

he Graduate School of Journalism has launched its first-ever Election Day web site, called "Third Rail." Developed by more than 50 students from each of the school's disciplines—print, broadcast and new media—the site is dedicated to the people, power and politics of New York City.

  The site has a subway motif and is organized into user-friendly sections, such as "straphangers," "underground" and "farebeaters." It probes a wide spectrum of issues ranging from the love-hate relationship New Yorkers have with their re-elected Mayor; the intriguing disappearance of the city's first lady, Donna Hanover, from the political scene, and the evolution of political power-brokering.

  "Third Rail" also features a peek behind the scenes of New York City politicking and a look at important future races. Visitors will also find kitschy candidate profiles not found anywhere else and extensive links to relevant Web sites.

  The staff was led by executive editors Tom Karlo and Chad Eric Watt, and managing editors Elana Ashanti Jefferson and Lee Clontz (all J'98). The faculty advisers, like the student staff, represent different media: Andrew Lih (new media), E.R. Shipp (print) and Sreenath Sreenivasan (broadcast and new media).

  Each year, students at the Journalism School produce print and broadcast election coverage. "Third Rail" marks the first time that students also created a comprehensive multimedia Web site for the elections. Digital cameras, live audio and live video were used to enhance the news and commentary, and a "Web cam" in the newsroom allowed visitors to see the staff at work.

  The Web site address is: http://elections.jrn.columbia.edu/thirdrail.