Comments on: Kentucky Political Official Proves Government Needs Social Media Counsel

By: Dick Brown

Dick Brown — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:12:56 +0000

I could not agree more that government needs to be more forthcoming to the people who pay the bills and elect our officials. I want to be clear that I do not believe all bloggers are reporters or that all bloggers should maintain a “journalistic” POV. What I tried to convey, unsuccessfully it would appear, is that main stream media reports ought not to be commenting and posting their opinions on the stories they write. I used the Pat Crowley story as one example of Pat writing his story on Trey Grayson and then, the next day, inviting his readers to offer comment on what the story contains.

As far as the blogs and bloggers themselves in relation to PR professionals, I had hoped to instill a sense of urgency to those in the room who, for the most part, are charged with getting their “message” out there. As you well know, getting that message out has typically been done through the media – and still is today. What is confounding many of us is how we convey that message to the public through blogs and bloggers.

By: Dick Brown

Dick Brown — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:12:56 +0000

I could not agree more that government needs to be more forthcoming to the people who pay the bills and elect our officials. I want to be clear that I do not believe all bloggers are reporters or that all bloggers should maintain a â€œjournalisticâ€ POV. What I tried to convey, unsuccessfully it would appear, is that main stream media reports ought not to be commenting and posting their opinions on the stories they write. I used the Pat Crowley story as one example of Pat writing his story on Trey Grayson and then, the next day, inviting his readers to offer comment on what the story contains.

As far as the blogs and bloggers themselves in relation to PR professionals, I had hoped to instill a sense of urgency to those in the room who, for the most part, are charged with getting their â€œmessageâ€ out there. As you well know, getting that message out has typically been done through the media â€“ and still is today. What is confounding many of us is how we convey that message to the public through blogs and bloggers.

By: Mari Adkins

Mari Adkins — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:10:34 +0000

If I can't voice my opinion on my blog – what's the point?

By: Jesse Greenberg

Jesse Greenberg — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:25:04 +0000

Jason, great post. I'm a public affairs professional (under 30 and social media savvy) and can appreciate both sides of this debate. My clients hire us because they want “message control.” Clients want to ensure that their stakeholders have information that boost their image. The problem is (and this is where I advocate for bringing down the barriers in communication with their stakeholders) client stakeholders no longer accept the served up talking points just on their own. The talking points have to be administered in a human way and directly to stakeholders. Whether that be through a blog or a social media site, constituents simply want contact with their electeds – and they have every right to. Furthermore, I believe, electeds have the responsibility to open and in communication with their constituents. I hope I can start to change this.

The good news is there is a new generation of politicians that seem to be embracing different aspects of social media as a means of constituent outreach. I hope this will hold our political system more accountable. At the very least, this movement demands more transparency from politicians.

Thanks for sharing, Jason.

By: JasonFalls

JasonFalls — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:16:55 +0000

If the Obama camp calls me, I'll buy you dinner. Heh. It's a shame they've made such great progress incorporating community and social elements in their campaign, but deteriorate that progress with old-school “messaging” and advertisement. We've got a long way to go to right the ship, that's for sure.

By: JasonFalls

JasonFalls — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:15:31 +0000

I hear ya, Steve. I think I'm about half way to where you are on the issue. I don't mind PR types asking outlets, bloggers, etc., to hold off on a story but it is an old way of thinking that reeks of spin control and manipulation. It has a place, but certainly isn't something I'd encourage. And I think us telling them what to do might be a bit harsh, but us holding them accountable for spending out tax dollars isn't. As always, thanks for the passion, my man.

By: Angel Galloway

Angel Galloway — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:40:59 +0000

Jason,

Very insightful post...unfortunately, we aren't at the point yet where the "old guard" communicators realize that they've already lost the battle. And even more unfortunately, real human political issues that have the most potential to generate real change could reap the greatest benefit from groundswell support through these channels, but I haven't seen that power fully embraced.

Yes, I signed up for the text alerts and email alerts from the Obama campaign's "Be the First to Know" promotion. I kind of wanted to be the first to know the VP selection. Want to guess what kind of email I've been getting so far? It's been a 50/50 split between real community building (such as encouraging me to host a watch party) and negative campaigning (like you might see in campaign ads). Seems the intent is there but the execution is still missing the mark.

I've asked to be communicated to in this space, and I do want you to be honest, transparent and human. Not negative, political and overtly donation driven. Perhaps the Obama camp could use your business card as well.

By: Steve Magruder

Steve Magruder — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:56:41 +0000

This line made me fume a bit: “they took blogs off their main media list because they didnâ€™t respect old school media embargoes”. My honest immediate thought was: “Screw their embargoes!” This idea of media message control is so 20th Century. I guess the Commonwealth officialdom would label me a radical, but I think the First Amendment is paramount and anyone should be able to say anything at any time and any place, barring direct physical harm to anyone (or other obvious illegal speech). And if a blogger catches wind of a news story, they, like any active citizen, can and should release this news at their pleasure. Timing releases with the governor's office is an undemocratic courtesy. We the People are not here to honor our public servants — they are there to serve us — that is, do as we tell them to do. Period.

By: JasonFalls

JasonFalls — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:56:19 +0000

One would hope, Michelle. It's a daunting task to try and crack the bureaucracy of big business and government, to teach them a new way of communicating, but don't we at least owe it to each other to try? Someone will get their foot in the door one day and it will happen. I sure hope it's me, but if it isn't, I'll be thankful for whomever it is.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:40:26 +0000

Good, good stuff Jason. This quote says it all: “Could you imagine what the American political system would be like if it were truly run by the people and for the people? If social media principles â€” give to get, share and share a like, be genuine, transparent and â€” God forbid â€” honest drove the ship? If there are any government officials reading this who want to talk more deeply, please call me.”

I would love to see our state government actually start communicating and stop with the bs press releases and communiques that we all completely ignore because we know they're full of spin. So yes, let's imagine how different Kentucky politics could look if government workers and elected officials actually told us something and we actually listened. That's a utopian vision we're far, far away from but any little step that takes us in that direction would fantastic. Perhaps you made enough of an impression on Brown that he and others like him will start taking a small step in that direction.