I got back from Iraq and the cable (TV) was cut off. What's a broadcast journalist to do?
If only there was some strange new technology that allowed voters easy access to a diversity of information and opinion.... I decided not to get the cable reconnected. My experiment is to try to get all my info on-line. Canada is, after all, the second-most wired nation on earth (after Korea).
So: a week ago I posted a simple test for the campaigns.
Clicking though their web pages, I sent an email with a simple request: "How is your campaign taping into new media and technology?" The only return addy, was my email and url.
One week later: nada.
Nothing.
No substantive replies.
The Green Party communications chair responded, with a promise to get back to me with details. The Tories sent a standard, automatic, e-mail receipt: "Thank you for taking the time to send ... They will be addressed as quickly as possible."
Now, a couple of Parties failing to reply wouldn't surprise me. But this is a failing grade all-around.
Despite its proven political power in the States, the internet is still an afterthought for most Canadian campaigns.
Look at the media, even look at all these humble blogs to your left. Its working.
You can't just talk about the new media. You gotta' listen and act.
But that may mean a new way of doing politics.
