FAQ
How do I ask a question that will be answered?
The more votes your question gets, the more likely NewsiT journalists will make sure your question gets answered. Big controversies or breaking news developments on any given day will grab the most attention, but so will original, thought-provoking and even quirky questions. Put it this way: if your question is about something that matters to a lot of people, something relevant, important or even amusing, you will increase your likelihood of getting lots of votes. But getting many votes doesn’t necessarily guarantee an answer. Our journalists will be looking for interesting questions that we think could spur an answer that could be big news the next day, as well as breaking news questions that haven’t had enough time on the Web site to accumulate as many votes as less time sensitive questions. We cannot guarantee your question will be answered, but you can increase your chances by asking good questions and voting for questions that are similar to yours.
What makes a good question?
NewsiT reporters interview senators and representatives every day, and the art of good reporting is getting the question right, listening to the answer, and asking a good follow-up (or three)! The best questions are well-informed and thoughtful, relevant to an important issue, concern or constituency, newsworthy, contextual and open-ended. Asking an open-ended question is easy: start with “what”, “how”, “why”, not “are you?” or “do you?” The latter often can inspire yes or no answers that offer little in the way of illumination. At NewsiT, we also try to think of ways to get lawmakers “off script” – these days they spend so much time honing their message that the challenge has become to find a way to make them think on their feet. It’s tricky, but it can be done. Sometimes the most compelling answers come from questions that relate on a human level, or find some connection; other times from asking a really tough, well researched question. As "Ask Your Lawmaker" receives your questions and votes, clear patterns will also begin to emerge as to what type of questions are proving most popular (i.e. getting the most votes) and what questions are prompting the best, most newsworthy and listenable answers.
Will my question be answered? Which questions will be answered?
NewsiT journalists want to ask as many of your questions as possible, but we cannot guarantee all questions will be answered. We promise to ask the most popular (the questions that get the most votes), and the questions we think are the most compelling.
How long will it take to get an answer?
If your question is about a breaking news development, turnaround could be same day. If it is not a time sensitive question, we will wait to see how many others vote your question up the rankings. There are also other factors: NewsiT has accredited access to lawmakers in the Capitol, but that doesn’t always guarantee they will show up for a vote – or give us more than a terse “no comment." But we’re good at this, we’ve won awards for it, so most of the time we’ll get an answer from the lawmaker you want us to question. And we’ll ask a follow-up – especially if the lawmaker doesn’t directly answer your question!
How many votes does a question need to get asked?
Generally if a question has more than 100 votes we will do our very best to get it answered; if it has 10,000 you know we’ll get it answered! But sometimes a question with no votes might be worth asking. You increase your chances if you can come up with something that other people want asked. That’s why we encourage you to vote for questions that are similar to your own, rather than asking the same question as someone else.
Who decides if a question gets answered?
The NewsiT editorial team retains editorial control over what questions get asked and when.
What happens when Congress is in recess?
It will be much harder to get your questions answered quickly, but we’ll try – you’ll just have to make due with phone tape.
What happens if a lawmaker refuses to answer a question?
We’ll keep trying, and if we cannot get them past a “no comment,” we’ll upload that!
Can I ask follow up questions?
Yes, please! If you ask a question that gets answered, ask a follow-up on the page by clicking "Ask Another" or "Ask a Follow Up Question."
Can I use questions and answers in my blog?
Yes! Just make sure you credit NewsiT and "Ask Your Lawmaker."
Why do I need to register to use the site?
The integrity of this site is critical to its success. We want it to be a reliable and trustworthy tool for everyone and using the site in good faith. That means we have to take steps to ensure the site is not being gamed, spammed or manipulated by anyone.
What prevents people or groups from voting more than once?
We have a database that recognizes your email and IP address to prevent multiple votes.
Are there any restrictions on using the audio on the Web site?
Ask Your Lawmaker is a viral tool, and we encourage you to make use of audio content. Please tweet and retweet questions and answers: ask people to vote for your questions! Post to your Facebook wall, your LinkedIn contacts or your Google+ circles. Blog about it, Digg it, tell folks how del.icio.us it is, or just email it around. But you cannot broadcast it, sell it, profit from it, or alter it – and you must credit NewsiT and/or Ask Your Lawmaker.
Is Ask Your Lawmaker associated with any political party or interest group?
No, Ask Your Lawmaker is not in any way affiliated with any political party or interest group. Capitol News Connection, which operates this Web site, prides itself on its balanced journalism; it has no dog in any political fight.
Who are the reporters in the field, asking the questions?
NewsiT reporters! They are working very hard every day to make sure your questions get answered! They want to know what’s on your mind, what is important to you – and why. They’ll do their very best every day to track down lawmakers – whether in the House lobby during a vote, outside the Senate chambers, in the corridors and committee rooms of Congress, on the campaign trail, even coming out of the bathroom. (No kidding, it’s happened before!)
Who or what is NewsiT?
NewsiT is a mobile "crowd-reporting" platform that engages and rewards people for creating and sharing news. It was founded by Melinda Wittstock, the creator of Ask Your Lawmaker. NewsiT is an early stage company now closing its second tranche of funding and soon to launch its iPhone app. More from Twitter @NewsiTNews or at www.newsit.net