Back in April, when I was asked to talk about social media and government transparency at this week’s Computers, Freedom and Privacy Conference, one of the first things I did was make a list of Members of Congress who “get” social media.
It was a very short list. For one, most Members of Congress leave the tweeting to their staff. The other thing is that their Twitter feeds are often one-way conversations. They’re social only in the sense that they want you to hear what they have to say–but who knows if they’re listening to you. When Twitter is used effectively, it’s as a tool to not only inform and entertain but to engage.
Anthony Weiner was one of the exceptions. Before his awful implosion, his Twitter feed was humorous, insightful, engaging. It represented an unprecedented milestone–our democracy entering an age where the American public for the first time could have instant, unfiltered access to a Member of Congress. Unfortunately, it also answered the question of whether there’s such a thing as too much transparency.
What will be the fallout of Weinergate? Will it be a setback for government transparency via social media? Read more
Recent Comments