PC Mag defines podcasting as the following:

(iPOD broadCAST) An audio broadcast that has been converted to an MP3 file or other audio file format for playback in a digital music player or computer. The “pod” in podcast was coined from “iPod,” the predominant portable, digital music player, and although podcasts are mostly verbal, they may contain music.

Here is a much better and broader definition:

What are podcasts:

a) A new type of media that puts you in control of what you listen to, when you listen to it and how you listen to it (usually on a computer or portable audio player)

b) An easy way to share your own audio content on the internet with a focused audience

c) A media that can be created with equipment you probably already own, for little cost and in as little as a day

d) A way to become a recognized expert or celebrity in your niche

e) A powerful way to connect with your customers and promote your business to them on regular basis

Podcasts are time-consuming to make, and thus most blogs feature podcasts weekly or monthly. Ideally, they would not be over one hour. Inexperienced users should always aim for 10-20 minutes until they increase their audience.

Why should you podcast? Different people do it for different reasons. I personally do it for interviews. It is much easier, faster, more accurate and interesting to feature audio interviews rather than text-based interviews. Firstly, it allows listerners to relate to the person and you won’t feel as if you are misrepresenting the people you interview. Secondly, people are more available for you if you take your device and ask them for a brief interview, rather than ask for their e-mail address and then try to conduct the interview online. This way is faster and usually more efficient, and as stated above, it’s also more interesting to listen to. It also gives other people access to people they would otherwise have no access to (in terms of their opinions or backgrounds.)

How would the final product sound like? Most podcasters online feature a personalized theme song to start and end their podcasts with. They also feature more than one person, so that it’s not just one person ranting about a certain subject but rather it records a discussion two or more people are having, which is what makes podcasts interesting to listen to. However it’s very possible to make a podcast by yourself and by only featuring your voice, which is what a lot of successful podcasters do. But that makes it harder for you since you need to think of ways to maintain the average listerner’s attention.

Don’t know where to start? Video tutorials are the best when it comes to introducing yourself to the broad world of podcasting. This is a good one to start with -

Listen to podcast.

[In our next lesson, we'll offer a step-by-step guide in English and Arabic about how to start and publish a podcast.]

Here is what you can do online as soon as you confirm the basic facts regarding an imprisoned blogger or journalist:

Once you created your account, click on ‘create content’:

- Create a profile of the blogger or journalist:

- Read through (and follow!) the submission guidelines. After that, scroll down and begin writing the profile. Be sure to specify the country in order for the profile to appear in the right category:

While writing your profile, here are some questions to answer:

There is a already a list of contacts which you can use depending on the location and purpose of the jailed blogger/journalist. Be sure to be very specific; find the correct contact information and send this to the most influential members (or the people involved in the decision making process, such as ambassadors, foreign ministers, etc.) See a sample list here:

Q. “How do I create contacts?”

A: The same way you create profiles. Once you click on create ‘contact,’ you have the option of plugging in a telephone number, a fax #, a postal address, an e-mail address, and any additional information. Please be sure to plug in the contact’s full name and occupation, as shown above in the sample. You also have the option of specifying your recipients:

Bonus points: Create a banner to include in your profile, so that in the end, you add the fact that you are in dire need of immediate support. Examples:

[Since the default version of PhotoShop does not accept Arabic text, the Adobe software is available in many languages, including Arabic. Click here for installation, and click here for a list of free Arabic fonts.]The results could be like this:

Step 2:

Here are some recommended domain sites, where you can buy a .org domain for less than $10:

Go Daddy

Q. “How do I do this?”

A. Look for this feature in any domain service website, and seek your wanted domain:

Proceed to your shopping cart by clicking “Go!”Follow the information, plug in your credit card number, and buy the domain. Within a few hours, check your e-mail. Follow the information about how to manage this domain in order to make it accessible. You can apply a domain name with free hosting, such as wordpress. To do this, you need to cloak your domain. This option should be available in your control panel. Please contact us for further information on this.

We also recommend DreamHost domains for excellent customer service.

If you want to pay for hosting, browse through this cheap hosting directory.

For FAST and efficient services, we once again recommend DreamHost.

IMPORTANT: When choosing a host, make sure you turn on your privacy features! Select anonymous addresses when asked whether or not you want to expose your information (this includes your full name and billing address.) This way, you will not be able to be tracked. This is very important for security reasons. If you choose to pay for a host, please double check with your hosting company that this privacy setting is enabled.

- Now that you have a blog site, introduce your campaign. Who are you supporting, why are you supporting them, and why should others support them? Why is this important? Make it very easy for people to find things. Include a section for an FAQ, an “About” page with the essential details, and a page for press releases and media links.

- Give people a reason to come back. LiveBlog the case. Is this blogger/journalist being held for trial? Do they have lawyers and if so, collaborate with them as often as you can for quick and reliable information. Keep people well informed and up to date.

- Post pictures of the blogger/journalist in question. This makes them easier to relate to.

- Register for Google Alerts, where, through e-mail, you can receive all kinds of news (from both news services and bloggers) about the blogger/journalist in question. Use different variations of spelling (i.e, Kareem Amer vs. Abdul Karim, Ahmed vs. Ahmad, etc. Just in case you don’t miss anything!)

- Be ACTIVE as a writer! Give your readers a reason to come back. Post videos, podcasts, and if these are not available, create your own!

Q. “How do I create my own videos?”

A. You can create your videos using Windows Movie Maker. (Your PC most likely already comes with this installed, and if you are on a Mac, you can use iMovie.) If not, these are available on download.com

Once you are done creating these videos, import them, and then you can submit your videos to YouTube or Dailymotion for free.

If you want to translate your video, you can easily do so using BubblePLY.

Director’s responsibilities include: Media contacts, tracking all information on the blogger/journalist, spreading the word to international organizations and NGOs dealing with human rights issues.
Editor’s responsibilities include: Reviewing comments, promoting the website, publishing information on the site, sending newsletters featuring the latest updates.
Webmaster: Web design and technical support.

After this stage is completed, look for people to help you with public relations. Example: journalists, influential bloggers, people involved with active NGOs, etc.

For now, this is our quick list of what you can do to start a campaign! In future lessons, we will be discussing how to maintain a campaign’s attention, how to contact media outlets and which news services to target, as well as creative ways to increase awareness outside of the blogosphere and in the real world. Stay tuned!