Social Media + Government

In previous posts on this blog, I’ve discussed the rise in social media use. As a public administrator – that’s right, I’m a government employee – I’m particularly interested in the use of social media by government entities.

This article from Rutgers has some excellent data on how government is using various platforms to reach its constituents. According the research, 75 of the nation’s largest cities use Facebook and Twitter. The Department of State’s YouTube Channel has more than 55,000 subscribers and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Facebook page has more than 300,000 followers.

That’s a lot of people seeking information from their government. So, what kind of posts do these entities make? According to Rutgers, they include:

·      Emergency alerts

·      Severe weather updates

·      Class registrations reminders

·      Town hall and council meetings

·      Employment opportunities

·      Public service announcements

·      Construction updates and related road closures

·      Crime prevention and wanted criminal alerts

The Digital Government Strategy released by the Department of Homeland Security in 2012 outlined four principles.

·      Sharing: Improved communications across government departments and agencies

·      Focus on information: Insure information can be shared easily by the public user

·      Emphasize security and privacy: Measures were taken to deliver digital information in a safe and secure manner

·      Focus on the customer: Content is developed and presented so the public may easily comment and share

What does that mean for the public stakeholder? Hopefully, it means easier access to government officials, information, and news.

Have you engaged with your local, state, or federal government via social media? If so, please tell me about it. If not, I’d love to hear why. Leave your answers in the comments or send them via email.

Interested in more on social media and government? Check out this article from the University of San Francisco and this one from the American Society for Public Administration.

Cheers!