Rialtas.net – Government 2.0

from an Article by Marie Boran on Siliconrepublic.com

Given the current state of the economy, there is no better time than right now to take a serious look at Web 2.0 technologies, or the social web, and figure out how these tools can help us build and define brand Ireland. This was one of the messages that emerged loud and clear from the second ever Podcamp Ireland, which took place in Kilkenny city this 27 September past.

Blogging is seen a one of the social milestones that gave voices to millions and let opinions and stories be heard that hithertofore were silenced, and according to Minister McGuinness, the old culture of keeping secrets needed to be replaced by a desire to be open and engaging.

“Let’s have the conversation,” said McGuinness. When asked if he would be comfortable with civil servants in his department blogging, he simply replied ‘yes’.

Of course, this immediately brought up debate on the job security of such individuals, what was appropriate to say in an online forum and perhaps the need for anonymity.

The outcome of the debate was interesting: social media is definitely something that works well for small business, but as for guidelines on what the general public will accept from large corporates and Government? Let’s keep having the conversation.

Read full article..