…and I will choose to answer the questions that best suit my key messages.
Talk Canada, as it is now, is an ineffectual use of social media. Social Media by definition is an interactive platform allowing participants to play an active role in the discussion. Unlike Talk Canada, there is no mediator in social media, no filter and most importantly no script.
Talk Canada is a youtube channel dedicated to “putting democracy in action.” It seems as though Harper is trying to take a page out of Obama’s social media campaign, by using new mediums to reach new audiences, like youtube. The government is clearly open to trying new and innovative methods to expand their viewership.
The 40 minute interview with Prime Minister Harper shows the limitedness of his ability to relinquish control. The interview was contrived. It is clear to anyone who watches it -even just 10 minutes of it - that the questions had been fielded and selected based on the Prime Ministers standard key messages. Every detail of the Talk Canada experience was controlled and planned, up to the smallest minute details, including set and costumes.
Check it out yourself:
Being the first Canadian party to embrace social media and use its expanding popularity to reach new audiences is a great opportunity for the Prime Minister's camp. Even if this first attempt wasn’t as successful, or widely praised as hoped, it definitely raises the bar for other political parties. This channel, if used properly, will allow the Prime Minister to communicate directly with voters.
Unfortunately the interview featured on Talk Canada was an example of two-way asymmetrical communication, although the questions vetted by the mediator were asked by citizens, they were obviously screened. Social media gives citizens a voice to express themselves in an unedited way that has never been experienced before in politics.
Politicians, like corporations, are being held more accountable for their actions and are forced to participate in the social media discussion. Used properly, social media could benefit governments greatly, allowing politicians to connect to voters and citizens.
Check out my colleague's blog posts:
Kaitlynn Dodge
Robyn Landau
Sarah State
Zach Sandor-Kerr
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I think the fact that they were screened by a Google executive to boot was anti-collaborative and elitist in nature. I wonder from this experience if political strategists like Harper's will actually be able to loosen the reigns in order to properly engage social media. If not, it will be a travesty to democracy and they will only inevitably become less and less relevant.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, I completely agree about Harper's inability to relinquish control. The conservative government needs to seriously revisit their social media tactics.
ReplyDeleteYou make some good points. I think talk Canada's slogan - "Putting Democracy in Action" - is problematic! What is it saying? Without a YouTube channel, democracy was not in action? That the Conservative social media strategy is now engaging Canadians and making Canada (finally?) democratic? It suggests and implies a lot. What seems clear is that the government neither understands nor takes seriously the importance of social media DONE WELL. Sure they may appreciate that social media could potentially have value as another broadcasting tool ... which is erroneous; but they certainly do not "get it" when it comes to engaging audiences, making connections and building relationships!
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