Fishburn Hedges

15.09.2009

Channel 4 News has joined Fishburn Hedges to host a series of live Twitter debates on the impact that social media will have on government and society.

The events, entitled “You tweet if you want to: the web is for opposition not for governing” will look at how the main parties are using social media to get its message to the people and to rally its supporters.

The live debates will be hosted by Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy.  Speakers include David Miliband MP, Ed Balls MP and Ben Bradshaw MP, well-known bloggers Iain Dale and Tim Montgomerie and Douglas Carswell MP, Daniel Hannan MEP and Twitter Tsar Kerry McCarthy MP, among others.

“The full impact that social media will have on our communications landscape is still unfolding.  One of the next big questions will how it plays out in political and social debate,” according to Fishburn Hedges associate director, Simon Redfern.

“The battle lines are already being drawn up and the main parties are already taking distinctly different approaches.

“We thought there was no better way to look at the impact social media will have on business, government and society than in the hot house of a General Election, and no better way to explore it than through a live Twitter debate, in which anyone, anywhere from any walk of life can take part.

“In 2008, we were the first agency to cover the party conferences on Twitter.  This year, we’re delighted that Channel 4 News has joined us in hosting and promoting this discussion.”

Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Channel 4 News, said: “Have British politicians woken up to the power of online campaigning and Twitter or are they still just going through the motions?  Having seen what the Obama campaign achieved we’re some way behind in this country and I’m looking forward to debating the way ahead”.

See also: fh.Opinion - You tweet if you want to: the web is for opposition not for governing