As more and more people enter the domain of Web 2.0/Govt 2.0 etc, the ability to manage what people do, what they say, and how they say it becomes less and less clear. It’s interesting to watch the established (but diminishing) powers that be try to hold back the tide of the future. We’re clearly not at the point in time yet when the natural forces will be let free to flow as they will, and until that time comes, we’re simply doomed to piss off or alienate those whom we need to depend on for our future.

Demographics don’t lie about where the shifts are taking place. The public sector, never known for its responsiveness or market sensitivity, does seem to be beginning to groan under the pressure. Where will it be an embracing of the future and where will it be a resistant force?

recorded. forever.

and becomes more likely the higher you climb on the political totem pole.

i thoroughly enjoy seeing the blogs of current baby-political junkies. these guys will doubtless have their opinions brought back to visit them when they’re older.

all public servants should be aware of that happening to them as well. i know i am…

And, no, I don’t believe that media policies should include people commenting on the TradeMe boards, for example. But, if public servants are going to use these sites, they need to exercise their judgement and discretion.

It might be helpful to focus on the social in social media: you are engaging with a community, so you need to behave in a way that doesn’t bring you (or your agency, if you are talking about stuff that intersects with your job) into disrepute.

These are good points. Just a quick comment that those engaged in blogging are also likely to be engaged in online social networks of one kind or another. It would be interesting to get your viewpoint of this. Do you, for example, believe media policies need to be widened to include this?

Cheers
Cj