On the PM and YouTube
Today, and next week, to be more precise, we will finally see the potential of social media in helping the electorate engage in dialogue with public office holders in Canada.
This morning Prime Minister Stephen Harper responded to the speech from the throne by livestreaming it on YouTube. Not only is this a Canadian first, but next week he will be answeing questions that will be submitted and voted upon by YouTube users.
I hope this is just the start. All we’ve seen from our politicians in Ottawa online is broadcast, one-way, top-down communication. Sure, Harper’s been on Twitter for 18 months, on Facebook for three years and on YouTube for four. But look at the content. Up to now it has been less than engaging, far from being a conversation. And the same can be said about the Liberals and the NDP.
Can you imagine if this became a regular occurence? In the thick of an election campaign? With the opposition? I don’t think Canadians would want to go back to the old days.
Image credit: Flickr user Robert Couse-Baker.
Engaging conversation? Handpicked questions responded to, what, a week later? I’ll see but I seriously doubt this will be revolutionary.
OK, admittedly, it’ll be filtered, but I do think it signals the start of more interactive social media engagement by Canadian politicians. Iggy and Layton will want their own time in the spotlight, so I expect more of this, so we will see more of it.
good for him…PMSH will not be silenced by the MSM any more. He will go out directly to the people. If this becomes a regular occurence, I think the opposition is in trouble.
Silenced by the media?! lol! This is the man who excludes media access and permits only his own photogs to events or invites media under the strictest of rules: take photos/video, no questions. His only wish is obviously to control the questions and answers.