In follow up to our interview with Deputy Chief Minister Jonathan Le Tocq, Crowd spoke to Deputy Heidi Soulsby (@HeidiSoulsby); a board member of Commerce and Employment, to discuss her thoughts and experiences regarding the use of social media.
Was the role of social media critical to you and your campaign during the 2012 Guernsey States election?
I would say that it was an important strand to my campaign but not the most important element. Meeting people face to face on the doorstep and getting a strong manifesto out were probably more crucial.
Which platform have you found the most practical in regards to successfully debating political issues?
Twitter is best for the directness and for prompting debate on topical issues. Facebook is useful to get a long message across and I use my own website to show what I’ve done.
During your role so far as A Deputy, have you seen the public adapt and engage with social media tools as a means to interact with you as a states member?
Absolutely. The beauty of it is that it is immediate.
As political debate becomes increasingly accessible via social media, how do you feel this will shape the future of the political process in Guernsey?
I feel the current process is far too slow – it takes months just to get a report into a billet for instance. We have also got to get away from monthly meetings. Social media is immediate and life is faster – we have to increase the speed of political decision making. I also want to see electronic voting, where results can be made available online almost instantaneously, and digital broadcasting of States Meetings.
In light of recent debates on states members being socially active through the likes of Twitter, how would you voice your opinion as a frequent user yourself?
It is a very useful tool to voice your opinions and listen to the views of others. There are some very knowledgable people out there and the States of Guernsey has for too long ignored them. Many use twitter and are happy to give their opinions. Politics is about debate and the more people you involve in that, the better enabled you are to come to a decision. As in anything, you should treat people with respect and engage your brain before opening your mouth or writing things down. Problems generally only happen when people post anonymously. I think it is useful for people to get an idea of you as a person behind the title.
Have you come across any problems or had to integrate risk management on any of your social channels?
No, but I am careful in what I say and do online.
In regards to servicing the promotional activities and regulatory aspects of the finance sector, and also managing the marketing, tourism and promotion of Guernsey; How are the commerce and employment department utilising online media and social media to raise the profile of the island and revenues?
Guernsey Finance has a Twitter account, which posts what it is doing and what is going on in Guernsey. Visit Guernsey also has its own account which gives general information about Guernsey and how great it is as a tourist destination.
There have been issues about extending the use of social media due to the resources it uses up. However, I think, where it adds value in terms of communication, it should be used. It shouldn’t just be used without first undertaking a cost/benefit analysis.
What are the strategic plans of The Commerce and Employment Department for 2013 onwards regarding departmental and individual use of social media?
There is no department strategy on the use of Social Media. As a member of the C&E Board I would like to see Social Media incorporated into initiatives where appropriate, for example; where we are looking to consult on future strategies. However, as stated above, we should consider the costs and benefits before using it.
I understand that the use of Social Media is something that is being looked at by the Policy Council.
Have you grasped any particular opportunities through your social channels during your role as Deputy?
Yes. When I was looking for non-States members for the Public Accounts Committee, I posted on twitter. I ended up getting 2 excellent members of the Committee as a result of it.
Do you feel that the use of social media tools should remain the individual responsibility of States Members? Where does the ‘department’ fit into the this?
There are different aspects and reasons for using social media. Government can use it to disseminate information quickly and easily – Guernsey Police, Traffic etc. I think it is really useful as another means of communication.
Government can also use it where it wants to get feedback. I think it can get difficult to start a debate and converse through social media as a Department. This is where it is a good tool for States members.
Does the States have a plan of action regarding social media?
As per above, we need to understand what we want to use it for and cost/benefit analysis.
Do you feel social media alters the ‘traditional’ media landscape in Guernsey?
I think the benefits of social media – immediate dissemination of information – have to be balanced by how much more easily it is for misinformation, or uninformed opinion to be spread before it can be corroborated. Traditional media can use social media to pick up information and follow stories up.
As a politician we need to understand the audience. We mustn’t think that the opinions from one source reflect public opinion in general or produce all the questions.