You might like to read this News report from the ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/03/2808495.htm?section=justin
It seems the situation in regard to social media is just as inconsistent at the political level in Australia as it is in the public service.
What are the implications for Gov 2.0?
Not good I suggest.
This is a valuable lesson for us. Some agencies are still trying to control social networks or ban participation. This is certainly a free speech issue and the ban would never be enforceable since no one can really control the internet. Law enforcement should focus its energy on real criminals. I have to disagree that this is mainly an issue for “teenagers and people in their 20s who have grown up with the internet.” Free speech is a right of people of all ages. Thanks for sharing Steve!
We need to allow people to speak their mind…and at the same time it’s okay to state clearly up front a comment policy and moderate public forums where people communicate with one another. I always use TSA’s Evolution of Security comment policy as a best practice example. Share the parameters from the outset…and people know clearly the rules of engagement, right?
P.S. In fact, here’s a blog post made just hours before you from the State of Massachusetts that deals with this issue.
AU’s leaders appear to be totally out of line in their attempts to control and censor that Internet. Frightening.