Post in Public information review

2007 Apr 11 12:08 UTC

I'd add http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/ - I'd never go anywhere
without checking it. Foreign office staff should definitely be empowered
to post there when necessary. My blog post mentioning this was at
http://www.gallomanor.com/2007/03/mumpower.html but it adds little to
what I've already told you. I get the impression posting on forums is
regarded with deep suspicion by older/more senior civil servants and the
younger ones who get it aren't in a position to challenge that idea.

This creates a very artificial barrier between citizens and government.
It must also create a strange disjunct for the staff concerned - who
would use sites in a personal capacity, but have to pretend they can't
see them at work.

Does there need to be a government list of sites to post to, or does
there just need to be a general guidance on staff posting? Your review
can't identify every potentially relevant information sharing forum, but
workers in a given field will come across them in the course of their
work. This involves delegating decision-making (and communication!)
authority. The Cabinet Office will be delighted I'm sure.

There are various other information sharing sites/forums that I use a
lot, but that I can't see the government having much of a role in (for
example http://www.beerintheevening.com/). Although, that said, why
shouldn't Environmental Health Officers post significant findings to pub
and restaurant review sites?

The possibilities multiply endlessly. It's hard to think of many
examples where it would *never* be appropriate. There would come a
credibility issue however in some areas, for example unsolicited
government drugs education posted on clubbing sites. The police would be
even less welcome. The test is perhaps 'will users find this information
useful and welcome?' and not, 'what do WE want them to know (or think)?'
This is not perhaps a perspective natural to the government.

I certainly think it makes a lot more sense for civil servants to post
info to relevant 'naturally occuring' forums, rather than Inland Revenue
or someone having their own forum. Because let's face it, it would
probably be a bit rubbish. I assume you've looked at Talk Swindon
(http://www.talkswindon.org/) which is an independently run site, but
includes discussion of and contributions from the lovely Swindon Borough
Council.

And finally, don't forget to consider email lists. I belong to several
and find them a significant way to keep track of what's happening in
various fields. Although it is a slightly different ethos and many (like
this one) do have public employees posting to them.

I hope these thoughts are in any way helpful. I meant blog comment (i.e.
on Premise), rather than post, but feel this has gone on too long for
that now.

Best wishes,

Sophia

Sophia Collins
Producer
I'm a Councillor
www.bigvote.org.uk

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