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The medium is not the message

Started by TLF · 11 months ago

Over on the Open House Project blog, John Wonderlich ponders what would sensible web-use rules for members or Congress look like. As I’ve noted here recently, both the House and Senate are looking to update the types of restrictions they place on how their members may use internet te ... Continue reading »

3 comments

  • Joseph

    11 months ago

    I think you are onto something. Social Media networks are themselves an extension of one's personality, just like one's membership in a church, professional organization, or any other group. As defined by Erica O'Grady, Social Media is not about the technology but about the relationships. Members of Congress have restrictions against use of government resources to promote their campaign or enrich themselves, such as use of a government office or computer. However, there have never been any rules to my knowledge against use of one's personal networks and personal relationships for legitimate purposes - you are going to communicate with people you know about any number of topics. One's connection to his/her twitter followers, as connected via a free, public domain is in and of itself a relationship. If you bar or restrict the use of twitter, you restrict the relationships, and that is a restriction on our Constitutional right to assembly freely.
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  • 9/11

    11 months ago

    Maturity begins when we're content to feel we're right about something without feeling the necessity to prove someone else is wrong.SydneyJ.HarrisSydney J. Harris, Syndicated columnist, 1917-1986
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  • Jim Meyer

    11 months ago

    There are no rules which restrict Congress's use of social media websites. Three important facts in this discussion:

    1. The current CHA rules only limit content which is included on, or linked to from, a member's official House.gov website.

    2. House members have (reasonably) complained that they are unable to post video to their House.gov website under these restrictions.

    3. Rep. Capuano proposed designating official channels in which videos could be posted, then embedded and/or linked to from House.gov sites.

    The only prohibition is regarding linking content from those sites into a members' official House.gov sites in order to prevent members from using the public resources and monies given to them for private purposes (e.g. campaigning), as well as to prevent them from appearing to officially endorse a particular product or service on behalf of Congress.

    These are, imho, worthy aims.

    For more information, you should read:

    House CHA rules online:
    http://gop.cha.house.gov/services/membershandbo...

    My two posts on this topic, which provide much greater detail and further reference:
    http://blog.geekdaily.org/2008/07/let-our-congr...
    http://blog.geekdaily.org/2008/07/let-our-congr...
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