While companies may struggle to catch on with social media, the government seems to be taking steps to do the same. We're surprised they waited this long! According to the latest Qik blog update, both livestreaming and twittering recently took place on the floor of Congress in Capitol Hill. Is this exciting news about the progression of our government or will we regret their involvement in the future?
Qik received a nice share of coverage today from First Congressman John Culberson when he used Qik to interview House Republican lawmakers and gain some insight on the discussion about rising energy costs and gas prices. The livestream was embedded on the CSPAN homepage with plenty of comments and discussions going on in the video's chat. You can view the video here.
First Congressman John Culberson actually has a nice selection of livestreams from various political personnel. Culberson also has a Twitter account, where he is active with a host of followers and followings. However, the question at hand is whether or not parts of the government tinkering with social media is a good thing. Let us know your thoughts in the comments area!
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.readwriteweb.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/4587
Comments
Subscribe to comments for this post OR Subscribe to comments for all Read/WriteWeb posts
Social media can help politicians bypass other media. That's what House Republicans did when the C-SPAN camera and House chamber microphones were turned off.
If politicians use social media to actually talk to the public and be a part of the conversation that's great. Social media will fail them if they simply see it as a way to push boring talking points.
Posted by: Sean Hackbarth | August 2, 2008 2:59 PM
it will be telling which services will appeal to which legislators ... piracy, privacy, free speech, twitter? fascinating times indeed ...
Posted by: Wes Schadenfreud
|
August 2, 2008 3:45 PM
Actually, social media and social networking use by the Government has been happening for awhile. I'm actually part of a group within the government called Government Web Managers lead by the GSA. There's about 1400+ local, state, and federal web developer and managers and we host yearly meetings where we discuss issues related to Government and challenges we face, innovations, best practices, etc. Social media and social networking are, by far, the most popular topics. You'd be surprised how many government agencies, especially Federal ones, are either using social media/networking now, or know that they need to but want to make sure they develop good practices and have a reason to use it...instead of just using for the sake of using it.
You'll probably see more of it as well from the Government. With a wave of retirees happening already, Gen-X and Gen-Ys are slowing starting to take their place within the Government. Those two generations (I'm of the X one) expect to have those types of services and tools available to them. That's how we interact. That's how we socialize. That's how we communicate on a daily basis. We understand the benefit of social media/networking and are working to make that understood by the rest of the Government (local, state, and federal).
So, I'll go ahead with my shameless plug and say that you can read more about social media in the government on my blog: http://justagovy.blogspot.com
Posted by: Govy | August 2, 2008 5:01 PM
I think there was day when a congressman used to read their own mail (there were no women in congress then), some even would take phone calls from constituents. Then they discovered staffers could handle that interaction when it lost it's effectiveness because of sheer volume.
I think the same will be at play here: Social nets will be "cool" for some congresspeople. Eventually it will be shuffled off to staffers who will respond on behalf of their boss.
Congress willingly interacts with two groups in person: other congress members and big money.
It's just more smoke and mirrors to bluff their way to reelection.
Posted by: GoingLikeSixty | August 2, 2008 5:18 PM
I think the same skewing of the media will play out in the hands of social media. Both sides will pander to their constituents and proclaim the usual "Look at me, look at me I am doing something!" The event that took place on Friday was a political stunt and I tuned in, not because I wanted supported their campaign, but because it was a usage of a new medium, but I found that it was the same old message.
One can only cry wolf a few times before they are ignored. This will not change in Web 2.0 or social media outlets.
Posted by: iBspoof | August 2, 2008 9:31 PM
Perhaps the governments have finally seen the huge benefits of using social media.
Posted by: Tom At The Home Business Archive | August 3, 2008 4:45 AM
Well this spells the death of the whole thing! CONGRESS!
Posted by: steveballmer | August 3, 2008 5:24 AM
We are seeing technological history here
Posted by: Bruce LeRoy | August 3, 2008 5:46 AM
Really good, let us try to head question, the reason for the arrival of
Posted by: qq | August 3, 2008 7:32 AM
This shows how social media becomes "media"...
Posted by: stetoscope | August 3, 2008 9:26 AM
Given that these people are tasked with passing laws about the Internet, any hands-on experience they can get is a good thing. There's a difference between knowing something intellectually and actually understanding it. Experience leads to understanding, so I'm happy to see members of congress using the technology. That it also may mean better connection with their constituency is an added benefit.
Posted by: Lester Smith | August 4, 2008 9:00 AM
Yeah i agree, they shouldn't wait for this long. Hope those news streams keep broadcasting objective information not like the other news channels.
Posted by: MGA | August 4, 2008 11:32 AM