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Social Media Changing Campaign Rules

As social media has become an integral element of political campaigns, states are being forced to evaluate their election laws. Traditional methods to reach voters through television, radio and direct mailings, are now coupled with Facebook pages, YouTube videos and Twitter accounts.

A recent article illustrates how state election commissions are addressing future guidelines for the use of new media. As next year's election cycle is sure to include social media, we will have to see what rules are modified to include the extremely popular campaign asset.

Display of Information

In an age of growing media interaction outlets, and the ever expanding availability of information, the rules of etiquette are beginning to take shape. Facebook, Twitter, and other social media tools enable personal relationships to be maintained between people hundreds of miles apart. Despite the convenience of reconnecting with distant friends and family, issues are arising over the display of personal information. As social media becomes more accepted and grounded in society, use caution and always obtain consent before exposing yourself and others to the world.

Social Media's Crisis Communication Potential

The role of social media is ever evolving. Businesses have now started using the media outlet as a tool to avert potential public relations problems. Firms are beginning to monitor Twitter messages and Facebook posts to keep an eye out for any customer dissatisfaction and respond to any problems. Crisis communication is extremely important, as large firms have begun teaching staffers how to represent the company within new media platforms.

Social Media Intensifying Race for Governor

The race for governor in New Jersey has heated up recently, a result largely in part due to a very valuable campaign tool, new media. Governor Jon Corzine and Chris Christie have each become active in social media communications through YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Video messages, statements, speaking events, Tweets and blog posts, are all utilized by the candidates to display information and even communicate attacks against each other. Governor Corzine and Chris Christie employ social media to speak directly with loyal supporters and display their platforms to garner additional voters. The ability to target specific niches within social media will definitely help determine November’s outcome.

British media acknowledges social media's influence on American politics

It’s one thing for the American media to acknowledge the increased influence of social media in the country’s legislative process, but you really must be dong something right when even the foreign media recognizes its prominent role. In an essay titled “Lessons on Social Media from America,” Micah L. Sifry, a British journalist, identifies the starring role that social media is playing in reshaping the political discourse in America, chronicling the early days of the Obama administration, when it ushered in a new era of government transparency by setting up a series of message boards and blogs for the American public to contribute to the policymaking process. Despite acknowledging social media’s powerful role, Sifry criticizes the Obama administration for dragging its feet on other social media initiatives. Nevertheless, social media continues to assert its influence in the political arena and demonstrate its long-term staying-power.

Wash Post Twitters Obama press conference

Even the ailing newspaper industry is learning to adapt to the latest technological trends, as The Washington Post twittered Obama’s latest press conference today. With the press conference beginning around 12:30 pm, The Post’s Chris Cillizza reported and analyzed Obama’s remarks live, as the President delivered them. Recognizing the long-term durability of social media, coupled with the simultaneous decline of traditional media, many newspapers and television networks are begging to support, or at least tolerate, the new mantra: embrace social media or perish. Of the major news networks, CNN boasts the most visible and robust presence of social media. Every day, CNN anchors such as Don Lemon to Rick Sanchez monitor their Twitter page and report what Tweeters are saying about the day’s top headlines. From The Washington Post to CNN, the traditional news media are increasingly incorporating social media into their news coverage.

Businesses Looking Towards Twitter

As President Obama popularized during his presidential campaign, social media has become a very effective tool for communicating a message, or even advertising a business. Companies have become very aware and attracted to the potential a social networking site, such as Twitter, possesses. Businesses are able to communicate directly consumers to build loyal support and locate unique markets to gear operations towards. The simplicity and benefits of social media has allowed anyone to utilize it.

Building Grassroots Support

Websites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have catalyzed a change in political campaigns to include a new and fundamental component, social media. Campaigns all across the country have incorporated the most efficient way to communicate with constituents and display the latest information.  A free and quick way to instantly connect with thousands of people is too good to pass up, and essential in order to stay up-to-date.

AP Missing the Point on Google News

The Associated Press continues to battle with Google over AP stories indexed on Google News. Most news organizations are grateful for the exposure and links provided to them by Google News users, but not the AP. They've chosen to pick a fight with the internet giant. The AP's claims of  copyright thievery appear to be just a desperate attempt to defend their former news territory. AP reporters and editors are wonderful to work with. Unfortunately, the lawyers have gotten hold of this issue and won't let go, even though it's in AP's interest to do so.

Twitter's Backlash?

Is Twitter's explosive recent growth spurning site failures and a backlash from users or is the mainstream media just looking for something to write about? You decide.