All first posts by guest writers begin with a little introduction from the author so far be it for me to break with an expected tradition.
I am that generation of technology enthusiasts from the Eighties who grew up on ZX81s and BBC Micros, whereas today I work with Apple and Windows machines which surround me almost daily.
I joined the online community when Demon first began offering internet access back in the 90s and now I find myself running several websites, writing a blog (http:/www.loudmouthman.com) and creating video and audio content for Internet distribution - all the while, maintaining a healthy Twitter habit.
I work as an IT and Social Media consultant and, having been elected to a seat on North Horsham Parish Council, I have been fortunate enough to be able to share those experiences as a Parish Councillor with my own online community.
In detailing the process of local government through Twitter, 12Seconds.tv and Seesmic I found an opportunity to describe the background to the process and responsibilities of a parish councillor. Much of the machinations, the checks and balances, rarely described in the press gain the spotlight in these Social Media conversations.
In sharing and broadcasting these experiences with my online readers and listeners I learnt that much of the perceived apathy towards local and national government is based on a lack of appreciation of the restrictions councillors and MPs must face. It demonstrated that there is a willingness from the audience perspective to see information transmitted real-time from council meetings and events.
Social Media tools, such as Twitter, 12Seconds.TV, Seesmic, Youtube and Phreadz have seen phenomenal growth in 2008 and with the advent of more powerful smartphones the immediacy between an event and its report is dwindling to near immediate transmission. Existing media from broadcast television to the press is belatedly, though eagerly, embracing access to those tools though at a rate far slower than its own audience who are already blogging, Twittering and live-streaming every type of activity.
The interactive nature of these tools allows the audience to pose questions, link to the content and reshare an experience. Social Media turns the town hall conversation into the coffee shop conversation delivering ideas and encouraging interaction.
I will be writing a series of blog posts introducing Social Media tools and detailing how they are being used today to change the face of political communication.
Thanks for reading.
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