Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Social Media and Local Government : citizenship, consumption and democracy. / Ellison, Nicholas Richard Branhall; Hardey, Michael.
In: Local government studies, Vol. 40, No. 1, 2, 01.01.2014, p. 21-40.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Social Media and Local Government
T2 - citizenship, consumption and democracy
AU - Ellison, Nicholas Richard Branhall
AU - Hardey, Michael
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - This article seeks to assess and understand the role played by new forms of internet-based communication in UK local governance. Drawing on a survey of all English local authorities the article examines the utilisation of social media before going on to ask what potential these media might hold for the enhancement of local participation. Amidst contemporary debates about the nature of local governance, not least those prompted by the recent preoccupation with the Big Society, Web 2.0 platforms such as Facebook and Twitter afford new opportunities for online interaction that could contribute to the reinvigoration of the local public sphere. In particular these platforms could encourage forms of participation that would bridge the divide that has emerged in recent years between residents as consumers of local services and residents as citizens, or local democratic actors.
AB - This article seeks to assess and understand the role played by new forms of internet-based communication in UK local governance. Drawing on a survey of all English local authorities the article examines the utilisation of social media before going on to ask what potential these media might hold for the enhancement of local participation. Amidst contemporary debates about the nature of local governance, not least those prompted by the recent preoccupation with the Big Society, Web 2.0 platforms such as Facebook and Twitter afford new opportunities for online interaction that could contribute to the reinvigoration of the local public sphere. In particular these platforms could encourage forms of participation that would bridge the divide that has emerged in recent years between residents as consumers of local services and residents as citizens, or local democratic actors.
M3 - Article
VL - 40
SP - 21
EP - 40
JO - Local government studies
JF - Local government studies
SN - 0300-3930
IS - 1
M1 - 2
ER -