Best use of social media in Election 2011

sophiekearns

General Election 2011 is becoming the social media election. Over half the candidates are tweeting, more again are befriending all in sight on facebook.

Add to that we have seen innovative apps like http://www.ballotbox.ie/ ,http://www.electirl.org/ and http://www.politweets.ie not to mention the awful FG valentines message ... cringe !!

what do people think is the best use of social media. When I say best I mean either to get a political message across or something impartial that makes politics fun, interesting and educates..

DrumSteve

What do think is?

Were not going to write this essay for you...

Eliot Rosewater

In my opinion, using Twitter and Facebook isn't a good thing, and doesn't amount to in engaging in any sense whatsoever, despite the slobberings of politicians and journalists and the like.

I seriously don't get why the papers and TV stations publish quotes from the so-called Twiiter-sphere. Twitter is symbolic of exactly what is wrong with political discussion. What can you actually say in 140 characters? Nothing. It's all about sound-bites and bland pithy commentary that lacks any insight.

I disagree with your definition of "best". I think the "best" use of social media would be one that facilitated genuine engagement between politicians and interested informed individuals.

Wolfe Tone

I think politicians using facebook s great! I "like" a few and they keep up to date wht they are doing etc, fascinating and some will engage in debate with you on their profile, and its a very easy way to let them know something.

andrewire

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

In my opinion, using Twitter and Facebook isn't a good thing, and doesn't amount to in engaging in any sense whatsoever, despite the slobberings of politicians and journalists and the like.

I seriously don't get why the papers and TV stations publish quotes from the so-called Twiiter-sphere. Twitter is symbolic of exactly what is wrong with political discussion. What can you actually say in 140 characters? Nothing. It's all about sound-bites and bland pithy commentary that lacks any insight.

I disagree with your definition of "best". I think the "best" use of social media would be one that facilitated genuine engagement between politicians and interested informed individuals.

No other medium gives you such an immediate and public reaction to events like Twitter or Facebook do.

kah22

I live north of the border and as such am not inundated with elections, politicians, and politics. Hardly a word about it in the local pub

With all the talk of how the new media: mobile phones, the internet etc are having on politics I was wondering what effect the new media is having on your election?

I'm not thinking of television or radio programs inviting comments from their viewers and listeners but more as to how politicians are interacting with voters and maybe more important how are voters using these new media to express their comments and pressurize politicians.

Do you see interest and pressure groups been organized well enough to keep this up after the election no matter what its make up.

A final thought. It is coming across that a lot of you guys are fed up with politics and politicians but please do use the ballot box and please do vote.

Kevin

EricPraline

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

I seriously don't get why the papers and TV stations publish quotes from the so-called Twiiter-sphere. Twitter is symbolic of exactly what is wrong with political discussion. What can you actually say in 140 characters? Nothing. It's all about sound-bites and bland pithy commentary that lacks any insight.

As opposed to hour-long televised political debates that are constructed from PR-crafted sound-bites and pity commentary, but are entirely devoid of any meaningful content or insight?

It's ironic that we see criticism of new media platforms on Boards. I recall during the last election (and even during the current election) people discounting opinions expressed on online forums such as Boards as being meaningless and disconnected from the real world.

Of course ineffectual or inappropriate use of social media tools by politicians is worse than have no presence online at all. No different from a politician who is incapable of delivering at least an intelligible television or radio interview.

Victor

What of these?

http://www.boards.ie/vote/
http://www.boards.ie/ge11/

mikemac

Can think of one candidate who was using twitter before it became widespread

He's always on it, you can hit him up with any request for info
Makes him accessible

county man

feelingstressed wrote: »

Can think of one candidate who was using twitter before it became widespread

He's always on it, you can hit him up with any request for info
Makes him accessible

He wouldnt be a member of the Green Party by any chance?;)

mikemac

I knew someone would bring up the Green Party

No, here it is http://twitter.com/#!/Paschald

The man is addicted to it
There's people there asking for movie recommendations and good music albums
Some vague attempts at jokes, they need some work!

derickmc

I like http://www.politweets.ie I couldnt be arsed signing up to twitter but it is interesting to check in everyso often to see whats being said. They seem to have stripped out all the direct replies too so you're not looking at one sided conversations.

Like http://www.candidate.ie too some interesting stats on both. I wonder do the site owners plan on keeping them going post election?

nice_guy80

Luke Ming Flanagan on Facebook.

has over 2,000 friends.
mobilised canvassers through the site.
updated people on campaign launches.
it was great following him and his supporters!

sophiekearns

nice_guy80 wrote: »

Luke Ming Flanagan on Facebook.

has over 2,000 friends.
mobilised canvassers through the site.
updated people on campaign launches.
it was great following him and his supporters!

Now that is impressive. I thought David McCarthy in Cork was raising his profile superbly via twitter really didn't happen for him though. Better chance of making a connection using Facebook than Twitter I reckon..

According to this most of the top tweeters failed - http://www.politweets.ie/2011/02/are-election-2011s-top-tweeters-converting-tweets-to-votes/

mikemac

I've had a look through www.candidate.ie

Michael Lowry had over 5,000 friends of facebook, the only person I can find with more was Enda Kenny.
Possibly somebody has more but I didn't see it

Lowry had someone update throughout the day, the vote number and that he topped the poll was up on facebook before the RTÉ website or twitter had it

Blowfish

I have to say Kudos to RTE on twitter with @RTE_Elections and individual accounts at each constituency.