Social media to increase citizen participation Catalin G

Social media to increase citizen participation Catalin G. Amza

THE INTERNET The internet is simultaneously a world-wide broadcasting network, a mechanism for information dissemination, and a medium for collaboration and interaction between individuals and their computers without regard for geographic boundaries or time zones.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Citizen participation can be defined in many ways. Traditionally, it concerns voluntary or coerced participation in local, state and national issues that involve governmental decision-making. The term “coercion” does not imply the use of force or violence.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION The forms and practices of citizen participation are numerous, ranging from advising agencies to attending hearings to actual decision making. In addition to making statements at meetings held by administrative agencies, individuals may take part in budget and other legislative hearings, and in initiatives and referenda; serve on advisory committees; participate in focus groups and respond to citizen surveys; and, in some cases, sit on governing boards of operating activities funded by government entities.

ICT The empowering capability of ICTs is centered on their ability to permit previously “marginalized” individuals and groups—who would otherwise be silent and invisible—to be heard and seen. By doing so, ICTs reveal the diversity in society, a range of opinion that has always existed, but was previously without voice in public decision making

INFORMATION AGE The Information Age is bringing more demands for accountability and transparency from a greater number of sources. As greater numbers of avenues of inquiry emerge, citizens seek more information about many activities in society. In the years to come, the public will expect accurate information, from both private and public organizations. The demand for increasing amounts of information is being driven by the internet where there is now so much discourse, exchange of information and millions of weblogs or “blogs”. The internet is an open network, which is contributing to the development of open information environments

SOCIAL MEDIA Social media (SM) is a term designated for tools and online practices used to share and exchange opinions and information, to promote discussions and to build relationships. SM instruments implies the use of ICT and the Internet SM – a variety of different formats – texts, images, video, audio

SOCIAL MEDIA • • • Twitter Netvibes Blog Youtube Linkedin

SOCIAL MEDIA In Romania the most used SM for active citizen participation is Facebook Approx. 7. 2 mil. users, 35. 78% of the total population Approx. 93, 60% acknowledge the city in which they live in

SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMPLES The most concrete example of Romanian citizen active involvement in decision making is Rosia Montana project. Through active citizen participation, through petitions and peaceful protests, decision makers postponed a decision for this project pending a serious public debate

SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMPLES The campaign against mining at Roșia Montană was one of the largest campaigns over a non-political cause in the last 20 years in Romania. A range of organizations spoke out against the project, from Greenpeace to the Romanian Academy. In late 2009, the Romanian government announced it made the project a priority, but it continues to review the environmental impact assessment initially filed in 2004

SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMPLES Within the project, Roșia Montană Gold Corporation (RMGC) plans to produce 225 tonnes of gold and 819 tonnes of silver over 17 years and it would involve digging up a large area, involving the creation of four mining pits covering 205 ha, the first two at the old mining sites of Cirnic and Cetate, followed by pits at Jig and Orlea in Phase II. Up to 250 million tonnes of cyanide-laced tailings will be stored in a 363 ha pond in the Corna Valley behind a 185 m-high dam

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SOCIAL MEDIA Another example is the mining law which was closely related to the Rosia Montana case

SOCIAL MEDIA Exploring natural gas from shale by horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing – another subject for active citizen participation

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SOCIAL MEDIA There are cases in which citizens took a position when they considered that the Romanian justice has made abuses against some public persons: –Berbeceanu case – like-uri 21462 +7514 – at National level (organised crime officer)

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SOCIAL MEDIA Mayor Matei case and Gigi Becali case

SOCIAL MEDIA Mayor Matei case and Gigi Becali case

SOCIAL MEDIA Local communities – citizen active participation in the decision of cutting linden trees in the city of Iasi

SOCIAL MEDIA Active citizen implication through SM is done in Romania, with the aid of You. Tube, although at a reduced level Users can post movies or messages with direct links to certain society problems Interested users can post reactions, follow-up, etc. – e. g. ACTA protest

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SOCIAL MEDIA Youtube – movie against gold exploitation with cyanides

SOCIAL MEDIA Youtube – movies against stray dogs euthanasia law

CONCLUSIONS No conclusions Is it good? How can you control the flow of information (especially false information)? ? ? ?