To examine the weblogs written by members of UK legislatures and to determine whether such weblogs address commonly cited criticisms of MPs' web sites and serve to bridge the gap…
Abstract
Purpose
To examine the weblogs written by members of UK legislatures and to determine whether such weblogs address commonly cited criticisms of MPs' web sites and serve to bridge the gap between representative and constituent.
Design/methodology/approach
Examination of the literature on MPs' web sites to draw up a list of common criticisms. Construction of evaluation criteria to analyse the blogs in terms of content, currency, design, interactivity and evidence of personality both as a snapshot and over a longer period.
Findings
That weblogs are, on the whole, kept up to date and show promising levels of activity. Blogs enable constituents to see with what their MPs have been involved (on both the local and the Parliamentary stages) and to see what areas of policy particularly interest their MP. Personality of the MPs is apparent on most of the blogs, which are less party‐oriented than many MPs' web sites. Although the gap between representatives and constituents may have been bridged to an extent, blogging is still largely a top‐down form of communication – even though people do submit relevant and pertinent comments to the blogs, proper two‐way debate is rarely seen and comments are not always acknowledged or answered.
Research limitations/implications
Based on a small number of blogs covering the UK only.
Practical implications
Provides simple evaluation criteria that could be applied to blogs in other areas.
Originality/value
Provides a useful first structured analysis of weblogs written by elected representatives, on which further work can be undertaken once the sample size has increased and existing blogs are more established.
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Caroline Auty and Alison Cowen
The London Mayoral Election of 4 May 2000 was probably the first in British electoral history when all the candidates had established a presence in cyberspace. An analysis of the…
Abstract
The London Mayoral Election of 4 May 2000 was probably the first in British electoral history when all the candidates had established a presence in cyberspace. An analysis of the 11 websites showed that politicians are beginning to realise the potential influence of the Web in political circles, both as a means of publication and also for canvassing support. Most of the web pages were well designed with a reasonable amount of content and simple levels of interactivity. Multimedia features were also evident on most sites, though in terms of currency and timeliness of information, some improvements could still be made.
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To describe the initiatives of the Scottish Parliament in the field of e‐democracy and assess the prospects for future developments.
Abstract
Purpose
To describe the initiatives of the Scottish Parliament in the field of e‐democracy and assess the prospects for future developments.
Design/methodology/approach
Analysis and review.
Findings
The Scottish Parliament has always seen the internet as one of the major mechanisms for engaging Scottish citizens in the Parliament's business and activities. Its most successful initiatives have been the e‐petitioning system, the webcasting of proceedings, the discussion forums and the MSP video diaries.
Research limitations/implications
Relevant to parliaments and other representative institutions.
Practical implications
Simple implementable tools are described that have been shown to be effective.
Originality/value
Few parliaments have been able to put theory into practice in a short time. Applicable to other small parliaments with limited resources wishing to enhance democratic participation by electronic means.
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To suggest methods and approaches to the study of relationships between the blogsphere and news, and to show, through a preliminary study, how the blogsphere makes particular…
Abstract
Purpose
To suggest methods and approaches to the study of relationships between the blogsphere and news, and to show, through a preliminary study, how the blogsphere makes particular political contributions through the manner in which social issues are discussed.
Design/methodology/approach
The article provides a set of research questions as well as general methodological approaches to undertake empirical, comparative analysis of the blogsphere and news. It reports on a preliminary study of the contribution of the blogsphere to politics using semantic analysis. Hyperlink analysis of the right‐of‐center US political blogsphere is also provided in a figure.
Findings
It was found that the contribution of the blogsphere to political issue formation is distinctive from that of the news, for the blogsphere provides to issues a poignancy not found in the news.
Research limitations/implications
The reported study is suggestive of a particular contribution the blogsphere may make to issue formation.
Practical implications
The article outlines a research agenda.
Originality/value
The article seeks to reorient the study of the blogsphere.
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Caroline Auty and David Nicholas
The General Election of 1997 was marked by much political activity on the web. An analysis of 20 party web sites a year later on shows that most parties have kept a web presence…
Abstract
The General Election of 1997 was marked by much political activity on the web. An analysis of 20 party web sites a year later on shows that most parties have kept a web presence although few are really capitalising upon the web technologies. Sites are too often stale, out of date and predictable. In no way can cyberdemocracy be seen to have arrived; the web is too often just a publishing vehicle and communication is largely one way. The smaller parties are proving to be the most innovative.
To confirm that the purpose of the FESD project has been to provide a framework contract for the whole public sector covering the purchase of an EDM system, technical and…
Abstract
Purpose
To confirm that the purpose of the FESD project has been to provide a framework contract for the whole public sector covering the purchase of an EDM system, technical and organisational consulting for implementation and organisational change.
Design/methodology/approach
The project took the approach of working closely together with 11 partnering organisations on developing the functional requirements for the system and participating in the tender negotiations with the bidding consortia. This has proved valuable, since the project has gained a profound legitimacy for its demands and a strong basis for the roll‐out in the rest of the public sector.
Findings
The results of the project are manifold: for the first time in the Danish public sector a mutual framework contract has made it possible to put the same requirements forward to the bidding vendors. It has made it possible to develop mutual technical standards and to develop standardised work processes supported by the systems. Furthermore, a number of long‐term findings will become evident over the next two years when the implementation projects begin to show results.
Practical implications
Originally it was one of the major tasks of the FESD project to show efficiency gains and return of investment within the project's life span. This has not been possible due to the fact that the implementation projects in the partnering organisations are far from finished. Also, efficiency gains are not always part of the success criteria and it may turn out that efficiency gains weigh more in the minds of planners than in the real implementation projects.
Originality/value
The article is a report from a country highly esteemed for its efforts in pushing public digital administration in order to create better service and higher efficiency.
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Adrian Cunningham and Margaret Phillips
To review the challenges associated with ensuring the capture and preservation of and long‐term access to government records and publications in the digital age and to describe…
Abstract
Purpose
To review the challenges associated with ensuring the capture and preservation of and long‐term access to government records and publications in the digital age and to describe how libraries and archives in Australia are responding to the challenge.
Design/methodology/approach
Literature‐ and case‐study‐based conceptual analysis of what makes government online information so vulnerable and initiatives at the National Library of Australia and the National Archives of Australia.
Findings
Democracy, governance, consultation and participation all depend on the availability of authentic and reliable information. Government agencies as well as educational and research institutions are producing increasingly large volumes of information in digital formats only. While Australia has done more than most countries to date to address the need to identify, collect, store and preserve government publications and public records in digital formats, large amounts of information are still at risk of loss.
Research limitations/implications
Focuses on circumstances and initiatives in the Australian Government.
Practical implications
Librarians and archivists need to become more proactive in influencing the behaviour of government agencies to ensure that important evidence of democratic governance is created and managed in ways that facilitate their accessibility and long‐term preservation.
Originality/value
Emphasises the vital role that information management agencies such as libraries and archives have to play in supporting transparent and accountable governance in the digital age, and explores innovative strategies for ensuring the long‐term preservation of this important documentary heritage material for the use of future generations.
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This paper examines the importance of the Internet for supporters of football clubs. It looks at Web sites that allow fans to become involved in the running of their clubs or the…
Abstract
This paper examines the importance of the Internet for supporters of football clubs. It looks at Web sites that allow fans to become involved in the running of their clubs or the decision‐making process at a lower level. Supporters’ Trusts, independent supporters associations (ISAs), fanzines and various government initiatives all receive attention. The use of the Internet by fans opposed to Wimbledon Football Club’s intended move to Milton Keynes is highlighted. It is argued that the Web is an ideal forum for fan power, providing a cheap and effective means of mobilising support for campaigns in conjunction with traditional lobbying techniques. This is one area where the Internet is sure to have a sustained impact.
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Using the Internet as a means of registering discontent with politicians, policies and groups is a growing phenomenon. There are various ways of manifesting protest on the…
Abstract
Using the Internet as a means of registering discontent with politicians, policies and groups is a growing phenomenon. There are various ways of manifesting protest on the Internet, including building protest sites, cyber‐squatting, defacing Web sites and organising denial of service attacks. Some of these methods are extremely effective, being cheap to use and requiring limited technical ability. Others err on the wrong side of the law and involve full‐scale hacking. Overall, hacktivism can be a productive part of the political process.