4 responses to “Citizen regulators: BBC Trust reaches out through blogs in its review of bbc.co.uk”
-
Anthony – thanks for the kind words, and even more for such a thoughtful piece. I was working with Lizzie Jackson and Ed Mitchell on this project for the Trust. As you say, it is really difficult for what are inevitably bureaucratic organisations to step into the networked world.
We found the Trust keenly aware of these issues, and prepared to spend some time planning this cautious first step.
Because of the potential sensitivity of the relationships, we’ve ended up with a strongish focus on the consultation/engagement process, rather than the topics in the review. But then, as you say, people will talk about what interests them …
It is of course up to the Trust to decide how to follow through in this case – but I do strongly agree in general with your points about continuing process, and governance. It is an issue that will (I hope) break out in lots of other situations, including membership organisations. -
It is I think worth drawing a distinction between the interests and desires of the most vocal bloggers relating to the BBC and those of bloggers more generally. I wasn’t able to be at the meeting alas but it sounds (perhaps unsurprisingly) as if it is primarily ‘elite’/policy-wonky bloggers who were invited to participate. I would encourage the Trust to look more widely at all of the varied uses of blogs that might be BBC relevant. What about the BBC reaching out to the blogs run by avid fans of individual shows? Or engaging with topic-specific blogs before or after doing factual/current affairs programmes?
What about encouraging blog reading and writing not just by news staff but programme makers and researchers too? I could go on but hopefully next time I’ll be able to contribute in person and will have a better idea of what the scope of enquiry is from having had some ‘face time’…
-
David Wilcox: Thanks for your comment – I think you’re right about
David Brake: Brilliant comment – thanks. I’m sure there were some wonky and some elitey bloggers there, but not all by any means. I think it was a good first step by the Trust.
I agree completely about topic specific and fansites – and I made a point on those lines during the open debate – using food bloggers as an example. Engagement – listening and blogging should definitely be encouraged by all programme makers, producers, commissioning editors etc – it would bring them closer to their most important communities and enrich the programme-making process I’m sure.
-
What’s the role of trustees now we are networked?
The BBC’s new Internet blog is proving a useful place to engage with BBC techies on how they develop new media and run bbc.co.uk. It covers hot topics like provision for Linux users, DAB, DTT, DRM, Dirac video codecs ….
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.