The LGA group is set to launch a new service that will help councillors to use social media to keep in touch with local residents

Posting written by njacknis over 2 years ago. No comments yet.

The established media have frequently complained that politicians use the Internet and Web 2.0 to get around the intelligent filter that these established media provide.  But it seems more common for politicians to feel the need to use the Internet, not as a way to get around established media, but as a way to replace those media that have died (or are dying).  Thoughts?
 
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URL: http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=1767436

The LGA group is set to launch a new service that will help councillors to use social media to keep in touch with local residents.

Tweety Hall is the latest online development that will help voters track what their local councillor is doing online.

Increasing numbers of councillors are turning to social media sites such as Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook to communicate with their local electorate.

Like Tweetminister, which allows voters to track their MP’s online activities, Tweety Hall will help to connect councillors to their constituents.

Nearly 200 individual councillors use Twitter to let people know what they are doing while many more use other social media sites.

On 8 April the LGA, the Improvement and Development Agency and the Local Government Leadership Centre, will launch Tweety Hall to coincide with the online Councillors Connected conference which will look at how councils and councillors can make the best use of social media sites such as Twitter.

Edward Welsh, the LGA’s programme director for media and campaigns, said: “In recent months, we’ve seen the impact that these methods of communication can have – with high profile twitterers like President Obama hitting the headlines, and MPs around the country signing up.

“The decline of the local newspaper means councillors have fewer channels available to them to speak to the public, and so the online community is rapidly growing in importance.”

You can follow the first team on Twitter @firsteditor where news of content is posted as well as conversations about ideas for features and news stories. Seewww.twitter.com/firsteditor

For more information and to register for the Councillors Connected conference see www.idea.gov.uk