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YouTube has a split personality, leaves a digital trail, and is changing the face of American politics and the way information is distributed.
Those are some of the research findings of Kent State journalism professor, Gary Hanson, who has been exploring the shared video site for several years. He and his research partner -- Prof. Paul Haridakis of Communication Studies -- note that YouTube is blurring the once clear lines among content creators, distributors and consumers.
Hanson, who teaches in the broadcast news sequence, also says the political impact of YouTube could be both very interesting and very powerful.
"I think the lesson for campaigns and candidates is that you ignore it [YouTube] at your peril," Hanson declares.