German Chancellor Angela Merkel has agreed to answer the 10 most popular questions made by German citizens via the Internet over a period of three days on YouTube. This initative seeks to engage in dialogue with the citizens.1,790 questions were submitted, however, none of the top ten were related with the current priorities of the German government: the eurozone debt crisis, but with otehr topics such as legalization of cannabis or why parlamentaries can decide their own wedges.
There have been many critics about this idea of creating a virtual dialogue. Some people like Christoph Bieber, an expert on the Internet of the University of Giessen, think that this idea is not innovative but old- US President Barack Obama answered questions from people around the world in April 2011, in a live interview conducted by Mark Zuckerberg-
Some other arguments that criticise this YouTube idea are that it is not a really lively dialogue- due to the fact that the questions are determined beforehand and that the interview is recorded- or whether the government has to be answering questions that are less urgent than the current euro crisis.
Bieber also added that one of the reasons why the government is taking initiatives such as the YouTube one is because of the "shock that the established parties have experienced in relation to the internet", such as the rise of the Pirate Party or the release of secret information by WikiLeaks.
Finally, the expert on the Internet says that it's time for the Internet to be viewed as a normal field to create and improve political engagement.
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In my opinion, I think that the YouTube initative is a good idea, even if it could be considered old by the Internet experts.
I agree that a really lively and controversial dialogue should be one in which citizens could rise queries and then be able to ask follow up questions. However, I think that initiatives like the one that Angela Merkel had are also important to know the worries and doubts that the people have.
Regarding to the topics, I don't think that the questions had to be necessarily related to the euro crisis. German citizens also concern about other issues and would like to hear their Chacellor's answers.
Finally, I also agree with the last statement made in the article about the necessity of using the Internet in order to improve the political engagement with the population. The Internet is a part of our everyday life, and it could be a good tool to let the people be more active in politics.
I agree with you Ana. I think those kind of ideas are very good to involve the people in what the governemnt thinks and on what they are doing and it also gives them the opportunity to ask about things they really care. However, it is true, that the questions that the people are sending are being selected and prepared beforehand, and that does not give a complete one to one dialogue impression. Nevertheless, it is always important to make people participate and I think this is a great way.
ReplyDeleteEventhough they are seeing Obama used this same tool in April 2011, I do not think that this neccessary means that no other country can do it as well. In my opinion, it is positive that countries use the same or similar tools that already worked well in other places.
I agree with both of you. I believe this is a good initiative and I think people should appreciate the fact that she is trying to get people more involved in politics, even if it is just asking about the legalization of cannabis. This is a topic, among others, that may not be seen constantly in the media, but can be important for part of the population.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the fact that this method does not provide a one-to-one dialogue with the population and that the Chancellor prepares the question, I mean, when does a politician ever NOT prepare for an interview. All politicians know what they have to say with respect to any question they are asked (of course there are exceptions, but not many). I don't think that it is a bad thing. On the contrary, I think it would even be beneficial because it allows them to investigate more thoroughly on the topic and give more information.
These things should happen more often and I think it is good for people to be able to give their say about what they think is important rather than just listen to what the media has to say as there are many things that they overlook without asking if there is someone who considers it more important, for example, than the eurozone debt crisis.
Governments use new technologies for the promotion of its policies and strategies. In a extremely well connected world a new concept of “digital diplomacy” or “e-diplomacy” has been born. Internet has helped diplomacy to evolve by using new forms of communication at very low costs, such as social networks and You tube among others- In fact, Zapatero was interviewed by You tube, in early May this year. The best examples of countries who have capitalised on this recent and global development are the United States and the UK, as they both have created a Digital Diplomacy Department.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this is a good thing, as it gives German citizens an opportunity to voice their worries and to know exactly what Merkel thinks, providing a first hand source of information.
ReplyDeleteHowever I am a bit less enthusiastic about it. I wonder: is this is something occasional and merely symbolical or is it, on the opposite, the start of closer communication between the citizens and Merkel? If it's the latest then this is most certainly good news but as I said I'm a bit skeptical. Time will tell.
wonderful idea, which allows voters to send their doubts ad opinions to the government. It's true it is a bit manipulated to avoid the tough questions. But as I said before, it's a great idea with just that negative point, but I fully support the initiative.
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