Originally published 22 March 2006. This article is retained from the tCI archive. Law, policy or practice may have changed since publication.
The practice of publishing web logs or blogs is one of the most rapidly expanding phenomena of the new technology age. Stated simply it refers to individuals publishing their reflections on the web, usually as a kind of online diary.
Estimates of numbers vary widely, but one source quotes 15,000 new blogs being written every day – how many are actually read is another matter. The question is whether these are just another form of vanity publishing or can they, inter alia, perform a useful function in stimulating debate on issues of significance?
Consider these three scenarios:-
One: a Government Minister uses a blog to outline his or her thinking about emerging issues. It acts as a means of putting across thought starters or even serious policy kite flying; imagine Tony Benn’s diaries, or a carefully selected part of them, appearing in real-time. The trouble with this, of course, is that being on message is critical, and the only viewpoints allowable on a ministerial blog might be those that are carefully vetted by the house PR team, and probably ghost-written by a spin-doctor. Two: a local councillor – even a cabinet member – wishing to connect with his or her electorate, and writing the blog in part to educate its readers about the intricacies of local government. If a particular decision is required, the councillor can use the blog to invite views and opinions in much the same way as councils already arrange for consultation input to the same decisions. It’s no different really from putting an advertisement in the local paper – except that (at this stage at any rate) fewer may read it.
Three: a high-profile leader, or figurehead for a campaigning organisation – possibly a consultee in a controversial consultation. Here the blogger might use the technology to raise a discussion as to which stance to take in response to the consultors proposals. There may or may not be an invitation to contribute to a debate – but the blog performs a useful function in keeping the organisation’s membership informed of what is happening, what its leaders are saying, and what they propose to do.
These and other scenarios raise the possibility that blogs may, after all, play a part in the debates which consultations create. To seek an understanding of what works will be an important priority; watch this space! Trigger points
- Help the Institute gather examples of blogging and consultation.
- Ask your key stakeholders if they already write blogs
- Consider whether your organisation should prepare a policy on how, and whether, elected members or officers should publish blogs.
This is the 53rd Tuesday Topic; a full list of subjects covered is available for Institute members and is a valuable resource covering so many aspects of consultation and engagement