I attended a small seminar today convened by Cabinet Office civil servants as part of a series on the future of government communications. The theme was public trust and engagement and the learnings for central government from local government and … [Read more...] about Trust and the future of government communications – Communications Futures 2020
government
Pickles' right to film law: Will it make any real difference?
Finally journalists, bloggers and quite simply anyone who's interested has the right to film town hall meetings. With last week's signatures on the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, local government secretary Eric Pickles brought in new rules … [Read more...] about Pickles' right to film law: Will it make any real difference?
Thanks for the open data promise (but don't forget our freedom of information)
Welcome news for those involved in open data campaigning this morning - the government is looking into new ways of releasing information and has appointed wikipedia’s Jimmy Wales to help. The Telegraph says that Wales is one of a number of "unpaid … [Read more...] about Thanks for the open data promise (but don't forget our freedom of information)
A Co-operative model for hyperlocal news on the web
Ally Tibbit has learned through experience what types of non-profit structures work for active hyperlocal sites. In this guest post for Talk About Local, Ally sketches out how a Co-operative with hundred of members could be formed to produce local … [Read more...] about A Co-operative model for hyperlocal news on the web
'100 million comments a year' – mutual support and advice in a shrinking state
The deficit reduction programme might drive government bureaucracies and the voluntary sector to adopt more modern means of providing information-based help and advice. A shrinking state results in fewer people to answer phone helplines and staff … [Read more...] about '100 million comments a year' – mutual support and advice in a shrinking state
Jeremy Hunt's open letter to the communications industry
What would people who publish local websites want from a new communications bill (apart from be left alone)? Suggestions in comments please - will put some in when i've had a think - would be happy to round up a set of views, put them into … [Read more...] about Jeremy Hunt's open letter to the communications industry