Yes, I didn’t mean to gloss over the positives. If anything, these will come from the social – as opposed to mass – media. The utility of all this stuff will be the degree of engagement with our publics, not the approval or sanction of the press (although they may come around eventually…)

As Sam has rightly suggested this is a great way for Govt to share the positives, and at least partially start to address the cynicism associated with a stereotypical public service. This is not a cause the mass media will trumpet.

An excellent blog and I look forward to reading it !

What is really happening is social change on quite an unprecedented scale – because it is not just about how content is disseminated (ie., the music in your example) but the fact that anyone can play now. The failure of some managers to recognize this is what has my, and Che’s, hands in the air.

With the invention of music recording musician’s audience was no longer limited to who they can play in front of, but expanded to everyone with a phonograph, anywhere in the entire world.

Similarly, with the invention of the internet, public sector organisations are no longer limited to public scrutiny by making mistakes in front of journalists or politicians, but can now have their dirty laundry aired through social media to everyone with a internet connection, anywhere in the entire world.

Of course it can work the other way with positive news as well…just not so often.

frequently the issue is that the decision-maker doesn’t want the interweb working for their workplace, the issue is that they’re not conversant, or not users.

i think you’re right when you say we should get one or two web tools working for organisations, demonstrate their potential, then share the results with other organisations.