BBC local online plans and e-democracy
From:
Stephen Coleman
Date:
Feb 19 12:32 UTC
Short link
I agree with you, David, that communication from the BBC about its
digital-democracy plans tends to be less than open or participatory.
There should be at least one member of the BBC Trust with a specific
remit to speak on this issue. As the UK Government has has had to learn
(slowly, slowly), exercises in inclusive, participatory democracy that
are conceived and managed in closed rooms tend not to be trusted. My own
sense is that the BBC is going to come up with some worthwhile ideas -
and is much better placed to do so than governments, national or local.
Stephen
Stephen Coleman
Professor of Political Communication and Co-Director, Centre for Digital
Citizenship,
Institute for Communications Studies,
University of Leeds
-----Original Message-----
From: David Wilcox [mailto:<email obscured>]
Sent: 19 February 2008 11:37
To: <email obscured>
Subject: Re: [UKIE-EDem] BBC local online plans and e-democracy
Thanks Steven and Stephen or highlighting this.
I've followed up with this piece
http://www.designingforcivilsociety.org/2008/02/bbc-plans-to-su.html
Here's a story about how the BBC is developing new local multi-media
services, its Charter remit for "sustaining citizenship and civil
society", the closure of BBC Action network, development of citizen
(or networked) journalism, and how the BBC Trust consults us on what
the BBC is for. These developments and issues may be related ... I
don't know .... but I think we should be told. But by whom? Maybe on
the BBC Internet blog where they are exploring Digital Democracy.
My main point is that the BBC, or BBC Trust, should provide for some
means to engage with the rest of us about what they are planning in
this field. Anyone have more info?
Regards
David
On 18 Feb 2008, at 17:10, Stephen Coleman wrote:
> The BBC is dropping/has dropped the Action Network. It plans to do a
> number of other exciting things along these lines in the coming
> months. The Action network (previously iCan) was always meant to be
> an experiment. The BBC is right to learn from experiments and change
> course if that's what seems right.
> Stephen
>
> Stephen Coleman
> Professor of Political Communication and Co-Director, Centre for
> Digital Citizenship,
> Institute for Communications Studies,
> University of Leeds
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Steven Clift [mailto:<email obscured>]
> Sent: Mon 18-Feb-08 5:04 PM
> To: <email obscured>
> Subject: [UKIE-EDem] BBC local online plans and e-democracy
>
>
>
>
> Anyone have an update on the Action Network and how it might related
> to ...
>
>
> From:
>
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=40081&c=
1
>
> Regional newspapers' fury at BBC local web plan
>
> 28 January 2008
>
> By Sarah Lagan, Jason Craig
>
> The BBC has prompted a new rift with the regional press by planning
> a network of 60 ultra-local websites.
>
> Previous plans for BBC ultra-local TV were dropped in October
> following a huge backlash from regional newspapers that feared the
> service would stifle their own multimedia online efforts.
>
> Now Press Gazette has learned that the BBC is planning a new network
> of websites, using the latest online localisation and mapping
> technology.
>
> Controller of BBC English Regions Andy Griffee told students at
> Coventry University that new service would involve text, audio and
> video news which could be navigated using a map of a specified region.
>
> ...
>
> The prototype BBC site covers news, sport, travel and weather with
> symbols providing users with the main means of navigating between
> sections.
>
> "E-democracy" will also enable people to research politicians and
> political parties via more interactive and informative means.
>
> Griffee said: "It is work in progress but I intend to go to the BBC
> Trust and seek its permission to launch it. Users can decide how
> local is important to them. It brings everything together in one
> place."
>
> User-generated content is understood to form a major part of the
> proposed new network - which could be narrowed down by the user to
> the level of a town.
>
Member profile for David Wilcox:
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