One of the good examples of social networking in the real world that I used in my speech at the Celtic Media Festival last week is UTV's partnership with political blog site Slugger O'Toole to run 'Tweet Ups' during the forthcoming Northern Ireland Assembly Elections.
It is a fantastic example of e-democracy in action. A traditional media company teaming up with a new media player to engage real people in the election debate...and get them to try out Twitter in the process.
I have attached a video below of Slugger (aka Mick Fealty) explaining what a Tweet Up is on UTV Live Tonight. The fact that a TV company is willing to give airtime to this sort of idea just shows how forward thinking UTV is compared to other media.
Moreover, the fact that the Political Editor of the TV station and other key players turn up to this event shows that the power of digital doesn't have to be forced onto the UTV news team - they've worked it out already
(can you imagine Nick Robinson turning up to a Tweet Up?!)
Some of the Tweet Up's have already occurred. You can see how the Ballymena one went here. And a list of future events are here
Now, two disclaimers before I ask your opinion. First off, there have been Tweet Ups in Northern Ireland - one was held in March by the NI Assembly itself - so this isn't a first. But the power this UTV/Slugger scheme will engage more people in Ulster politics and is Public Service Broadcasting at its finest.
The second disclaimer is, of course, that I do some digital work with UTV. But I wasn't involved in this great idea (if I was, this blog would be 10 miles long!) - so I am still neutral, even if it does sound like a UTV love-in.
Well done all for this!
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