CNN’s Mark Preston: Social Media Gives Voters a Voice (VIDEO)

There’s no question that this year’s presidential election comes down to one issue: the economy. With the effects of the 2008 financial meltdown still being felt, and national unemployment levels still hovering over eight percent, “the election’s going to be win or lost by Barack Obama on how the economy is on Election Day,” says CNN Political Director Mark Preston. Watch Preston talk about other issues that will matter this election season and how citizen journalism is changing politics:

WATCH: Making the Financial Sector Accountable

Much like in 2008, social media provides a great opportunity for voters to have their voices be heard this elect year. ”Before, you would have to deal with us – we were the filter,”  Preston says of media. But with Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, genConnect and other platforms, he adds, “you can be a citizen journalist – you can go out and create your own story.”

CNN, for example, has created iReport, where citizen journalists report the news in their communities, first-hand. Also, during the Republican presidential primary season, CNN sponsored seven Republican debates, in which questions were submitted for the candidates via social media outlets.

WATCH: CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo Says Unemployment, Debt Are ‘Going to Strangle Us’

Young people, in particular, should take to these platforms to make a difference.

“Young people know way more than I do about social media; they know way more about how to cut a package, how to adapt to the changing economic times and frankly the changing technological times,” Preston said. “The world is your oyster.”

genConnect was credentialed press at the 2012 Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, Colo., where we interviewed the premier speakers and attendees at the conference. For more of our video interviews and articles from the Ideas Festival, click here.

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