Social Media facilitates fast, free and open knowledge sharing with the potential to allow ordinary people to have their say on local issues, gain access to decision-making power in new ways, and influence local and central government and consequently public policy. A governing body's social media presence will ideally be an extension of a democratic society.

Pros

  • Reach those that traditional media misses.
  • Real-time interaction.

Cons

  • A social media presence places high demands on your time. Content must be created, edited, approved and published; comments must be responded to and sites and pages must be maintained.
  • You lose some control of your marketing efforts. Anything you publish is up for grabs, and others can easily criticise you.

  1. RSS Feed for 'Was social media a help or a hindrance during last summer's UK riots?' discussion Was social media a help or a hindrance during last summer's UK riots?

    As Conservative MP Nadine Dorries suggested,rather than saving lives, the overwhelming use of social media during the riots was seriously harmful. It disseminated information so quickly that it undoubtedly helped to spread the riots across a wider area. This resulted in the tragic loss of life in Birmingham and chaotic disruption in other major cities. In proposing to close down social media networking sites when threatening public disorder starts to break out, this Government is acting responsibly in using such a measure as an exercise in damage limitation. Do you have a different opinion to Nadine?.

    Get Involved

  2. RSS Feed for 'Can social media make a genuine impact on the democratic process?' discussion Can social media make a genuine impact on the democratic process?

    Get Involved

  3. RSS Feed for ' Can you suggest a future discussion topic?' discussion Can you suggest a future discussion topic?

    Get Involved