Comments on: The Three Types of Government Blogger http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/ How Government Organizations Communicate and Integrate Social Media Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:09:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: che tibby http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/#comment-198 che tibby Fri, 25 May 2007 01:14:51 +0000 http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/#comment-198 thanks for the link! yeah, a few of us here in new zealand have been kicking roudn the idea of policy-makers using social media to communicate with the public, but it's such a fraught area we're thinking it's too hard. there is some <a href="http://participation.e.govt.nz/index.php/Main_Page" rel="nofollow">interesting work going</A> on to investigate ground rules for public participation, but they're still in the development stage. essentially, you might be able to use web2.0 (or "govt2.0") to educate and engage the public, but it seems very tricky. and in policy development? only under specific circumstances, and with BIG disclaimers about outcomes. but, we're hoping that these types of questions will one day be resolved. thanks for the link!

yeah, a few of us here in new zealand have been kicking roudn the idea of policy-makers using social media to communicate with the public, but it’s such a fraught area we’re thinking it’s too hard.

there is some interesting work going on to investigate ground rules for public participation, but they’re still in the development stage.

essentially, you might be able to use web2.0 (or “govt2.0″) to educate and engage the public, but it seems very tricky. and in policy development? only under specific circumstances, and with BIG disclaimers about outcomes.

but, we’re hoping that these types of questions will one day be resolved.

]]> By: Colin McKay http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/#comment-199 Colin McKay Fri, 25 May 2007 11:08:38 +0000 http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/#comment-199 thanks, Che! that is the problem, isn't it? Sometimes government has to make the decisions people don't like - and how do you structure a "govt 2.0" discussion or debate to prepare for that outcome? thanks, Che! that is the problem, isn’t it? Sometimes government has to make the decisions people don’t like - and how do you structure a “govt 2.0″ discussion or debate to prepare for that outcome?

]]> By: Eraser Inc, Part 2 | NPSC Blog http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/#comment-200 Eraser Inc, Part 2 | NPSC Blog Sat, 26 May 2007 01:16:50 +0000 http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/#comment-200 [...] video posted is indexed and stored – possibly forever. What are we doing about that? Che and Colin McKay have some pretty good suggestions for public servants, but what about the way public sector [...] […] video posted is indexed and stored – possibly forever. What are we doing about that? Che and Colin McKay have some pretty good suggestions for public servants, but what about the way public sector […]

]]> By: Jeremy Gould http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/#comment-201 Jeremy Gould Wed, 30 May 2007 08:24:28 +0000 http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/#comment-201 Its true, and rightly so, that civil servants playing the social media spaces will come under greater scrutiny than others to ensure that they are playing by the rules. That goes with the territory, was always thus and helps to understand why online conversations are viewed with unease by us working in government - the potential (as has been recently demonstrated) to be exposed and ridiculed is high. But your three examples suggest agendas that not all civil servants will want to pursue. What about those who recognise the opportunity to use social media to have genuine conversations with interested people that might subsequently inform policy development? Would you regard them necessarily as 'advocates for advances in policy and programs'? They may find out that the public do not want advances or change in a particular area. That would be a legitimate use of the medium. Its true, and rightly so, that civil servants playing the social media spaces will come under greater scrutiny than others to ensure that they are playing by the rules. That goes with the territory, was always thus and helps to understand why online conversations are viewed with unease by us working in government - the potential (as has been recently demonstrated) to be exposed and ridiculed is high.
But your three examples suggest agendas that not all civil servants will want to pursue. What about those who recognise the opportunity to use social media to have genuine conversations with interested people that might subsequently inform policy development? Would you regard them necessarily as ‘advocates for advances in policy and programs’? They may find out that the public do not want advances or change in a particular area. That would be a legitimate use of the medium.

]]> By: paul canning http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/#comment-203 paul canning Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:25:00 +0000 http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/#comment-203 Hi I really disagree with this: 'civil servants have to be aware that their online musings may be exposed to much greater criticism than normally expected online. The freewheeling and bare chested mannerisms promoted by most pioneer bloggers are inconceivable for government bloggers: they will targeted for greater scrutiny and will be allowed less room for error.' Why? Why is it one rule for public servants and another for all other workers? Why don't the same sort of rules for public servants about writing a letter to a newspaper also apply online? You conflate Government blogs - which are or should be seen as promotional - and personal blogs, which just happen to be by Government workers. I realise full well the strength of The Mail et al. and undoubtedly someone will tell me to 'wake up + smell the coffee'. But there are also such things as Free Speech, Rights and Unions. I am careful. But so should anyone who blogs, and Works be. I just don't talk about Work. But that's because it is Work. Why is my right to have an opinion as a citizen and put it in writing dictated by the Daily Mail? I've been catching up with blog posts post-Barder and it sounds to me like the Mail's won with barely a shot fired. Can nobody else see this? Hi

I really disagree with this:

‘civil servants have to be aware that their online musings may be exposed to much greater criticism than normally expected online. The freewheeling and bare chested mannerisms promoted by most pioneer bloggers are inconceivable for government bloggers: they will targeted for greater scrutiny and will be allowed less room for error.’

Why? Why is it one rule for public servants and another for all other workers? Why don’t the same sort of rules for public servants about writing a letter to a newspaper also apply online?

You conflate Government blogs - which are or should be seen as promotional - and personal blogs, which just happen to be by Government workers.

I realise full well the strength of The Mail et al. and undoubtedly someone will tell me to ‘wake up + smell the coffee’. But there are also such things as Free Speech, Rights and Unions.

I am careful. But so should anyone who blogs, and Works be. I just don’t talk about Work. But that’s because it is Work.

Why is my right to have an opinion as a citizen and put it in writing dictated by the Daily Mail?

I’ve been catching up with blog posts post-Barder and it sounds to me like the Mail’s won with barely a shot fired. Can nobody else see this?

]]> By: Colin McKay http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/#comment-206 Colin McKay Sun, 10 Jun 2007 17:37:56 +0000 http://www.sosaidthe.org/2007/05/24/the-three-types-of-government-blogger/#comment-206 I agree that Barder's been unfairly slammed. I also agree that most countries have basic or legislated rights of free speech and expression. In the current environment, though, where the civil service bureaucracy is still adjusting to a new more connected world, it will remain difficult for a blogger who is a civil servant to avoid unjust accusations and characterisations. As a civil servant, if I choose to prepare a personal letter to the editor I give it tremendous consideration and tailor my words carefully. Unfortunately, most bloggers don't exercise the same care with their words. And in a parliamentary government like the UK, Canada, New Zealand and elsewhere, there is an expectation of civil service impartiality. Any momentary lack or judgement - or personal certainty - may produce a backlash. Unfortunately, that's the environment we live in now. I agree that Barder’s been unfairly slammed. I also agree that most countries have basic or legislated rights of free speech and expression.

In the current environment, though, where the civil service bureaucracy is still adjusting to a new more connected world, it will remain difficult for a blogger who is a civil servant to avoid unjust accusations and characterisations.

As a civil servant, if I choose to prepare a personal letter to the editor I give it tremendous consideration and tailor my words carefully.

Unfortunately, most bloggers don’t exercise the same care with their words.

And in a parliamentary government like the UK, Canada, New Zealand and elsewhere, there is an expectation of civil service impartiality.

Any momentary lack or judgement - or personal certainty - may produce a backlash.

Unfortunately, that’s the environment we live in now.

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