U.S. Cities Using Tech to Cull Ideas From Citizens
(USA Today)
Following the example of private companies, New York and other cities are employing technology to harness the wisdom of citizens, make use of their skills and create virtual civic forums.
Homeless Tweet in New Awareness Campaign (USA Today)
Underheard in New York is an initiative to help homeless New Yorkers speak for themselves through Twitter.
A Million Stories in the [redacted] City: How Seattle Handles Open Crime Data (Tech President)
Seattle is celebrating the first anniversary of its open data portal, Data.Seattle.Gov, one of the most inclusive data warehouses offered by any city so far.
CIA’s Revamped Website Has Flickr Stream, New Kids’ Games
(Fast Company)
The CIA has launched a re-vamped website, with a YouTube channel and Flickr photo stream, as well as games and an interactive timeline of the agency’s history.
Do Not Blast: Hill Staffers Want Personalized Notes, Digital or Otherwise (Tech President)
Email and the Internet are making it easier for the public to reach out to senators and representatives, but that doesn’t mean there’s been a corresponding boom in the public’s ability to shape the course of events happening.
Twitter, as a Helpmate, Goes to Capitol Hill (The New York Times)
Twitter’s Adam Sharp helps the thousands of politicians and government employees already on Twitter to use the tool better.
The White House and Chinese Bloggers (Tech President)
Last week, the Obama White House rolled out a live videoconference hook-up between National Security Council officials and Chinese bloggers.
The Obama White House’s Full-Internet SOTU Press
(Tech President)
The White House will have many ways one can connect digitally with Administration officials about Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.
Comcast-NBC Universal Deal Gets Thumbs Up From FCC and Justice Department (Los Angeles Times)
The Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department have approved Comcast Corp.’s deal to take a majority stake in General Electric Co.’s NBC Universal.
A Virtual Congress Would Put its Members Back in Their Home States (The Tennessean)
Opinion piece on how we can save our political system by creating a virtual Congress, where members would telecommute from their home districts and states to Washington.
By Michael Wm. Schick
For the most part, politicians like cameras (unless, of course, they are in trouble). But assuming they are not, they really do like to be in the spotlight. They come alive when the lights turn on and the cameras flash and roll.
As a former press spokesman for a US Senator, I repeatedly witnessed this phenomenon, especially on State of the Union night. One of my jobs was to escort my boss through the shining sea of network and cable camera crews set up in Statuary Hall right outside the House floor, making sure he took full advantage of the interview opportunities surrounding him.
There is something strangely stimulating about being in front of a camera. It’s like an injection of adrenaline. But during a recent day on Capitol Hill, I witnessed the emergence of a new media stimulant: Twitter. I spent the day shepherding 10 of America’s top mom bloggers to meetings with Members of Congress and their staffs. During the meetings, the bloggers hardly looked at the guest speakers, not because they were rudely checking their emails or texting their friends, but because they were busy transmitting what they were hearing on their smartphones or iPads, tweeting at the speed of light. Some took Twitpics and posted them immediately; some used digital cameras, and then transferred the images from the camera’s memory card to their iPads.
The White House Blog’s Top 10 of 2010
(The White House Blog)
The top ten White House blog posts cover a range of topics from explaining what’s in the healthcare bill to supporting military families.
C-SPAN Expands Social Media/Online Offerings for Following the 112th Congress (C-SPAN pdf)
The public affairs network is expanding the ways its audience can connect with the legislature through online and social media.
Social Media Records Prove Tough to Preserve
(Federal Computer Week)
Federal records management of social media is fragmented, difficult to define and inadequately funded.
FCC Launches Apps Challenge to Keep Open the Internet
(Tech President)
FCC contest encourages Americans to develop apps and research highlighting where the “open Internet” is breaking down in the U.S.
The Fireside Chat Returns to the White House
(The New York Times)
The White House press secretary is answering questions from the public via Web cam in front of a crackling West Wing fireplace.
Selling the Census (Tech President)
The Census Bureau, this year, has turned to new media again and again to deliver its message to Americans.
Meet ForeignAssistance.gov (Tech President)
The newly launched site tracks the $37 billion or so in foreign assistance managed through State and USAID each year.
Holiday Tweet Drive Brings Toys and Food to Disadvantaged Kids (Mashable)
The Holiday Tweet Drive is underway, using social media to gather toys and clothing for less-fortunate children.
Here’s Why “Top Influencer Lists” Are Useless
Social Media – Should It be the Driver or Passenger in your Grassroots Influence Strategy?
Google and Facebook Emphasize the New and the Now, For Better or Worse
K Street Café is a blog where experts from a variety of backgrounds share ways organizations are using current and emerging strategies to help shape public policies.
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