You’ll be kicking yourself if you miss Newsnight tonight as the slick new 18 Doughty Street goes through the Paxman grilling.
This is how they are plugging it:
“18 Doughty Street is the internet TV channel dedicated to all things political. The creators say that the mainstream political process is ignoring huge swathes of public opinion – a niche they propose to fill by running attack adverts sponsoring arguments on both sides of the political debate (or so they say).
“Is this the start of a new Americanisation of British politics or have the authors misjudged our political culture? “
American politicians have fully embraced the social media in the nomination contest for the next presidential election, they realise the importance of winning over sceptics, that they need to engage in open interaction to prove politicians are listening to the electorate and showing their “true” face.
Here is a perfect example. I have just had an email from Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps inviting me to tune in to a live online debate he has arranged this week to discuss proposed axing of acute services in his local hospital. He even has the Chief Exec of his health trust taking part. That is fantastic, how else would the ordinary man in the street have the chance to speak directly to his MP and health chief? I just love the way Grant works, here is one of his YouTubes.
I always enjoy reading the dismissive comments of the BBC hacks when something comes along that allows people a chance to receive media that has not gone through the BBC world view sanitiser.
Those people I know who have watched 18DS have all been struck by the mature and interesting way views are expressed and debated. It is also refreshing for them that this has been achieved without the sneering disdain shown by BBC and Channel 4 political journalists in particular.
That was the aim of 18DS and it is succeeding. Although reading that Newsnight preview you would have thought 18DS is nothing more than attack-ad TV. Not surprising though, is it?
Tony, 18 Doughty Street is unique and I imagine the BBC would love to have access to the kind of contacts that Iain has for interviews. Blogging has a sense of fearlessness which the BBC cannot abide by, it cannot compete on the same level, but at the same time, it is promoting blogging and recognises its importance and influence.
That’s a typical BBC response when they come up against something that dwarfs their outmoded coverage.
I wish I could see the Newsnight programme over here! Hope you tell us about it tomorrow, Ellee.
I think Doughty St is a great thing and that it’s the start of something really big.
By the way, we can access our MPs in Britain: admittedly it may take a bit of time to get a surgery appointment with one, but I have many times phoned the House of Commons to speak to mine – and got action! When I tell people here that it can be that direct in Britain, they are amazed!
I do wonder how many of the “ordinary men in the street” will be tuning in tonight though.
Woffle, It takes time to become established and 18 Doughty Street is still very new. However, Grant is a beacon for what can be achieved through Web 2.0, he demonstrates how this form of communcation can be outstandingly successful for politicians.
Yes, we must hope it all goes very well for them. It’s things like this, on a larger scale to our BP radio interview, that give a boost.
Many thanks Ellee, I am very grateful for the advance warning! I watched it, and I have to say I was pleased.
I was bored by it, sorry. Does Tim M have a lisp?
Welshcakes,
they have some video on the website. Or does it get blocked?
Slightly OT for Ellee: YouTube are going to start sharing ad revenue soon. I think this will create more growth in online video.
Tim, Yes, I saw something about YouTube ads, thanks for letting me know.
Whilst some of the introduction was a bit biased – in general the BBC and Paxman did a good job. The only person to fail to understand what was going on was the Labour stuffed shirt – who kept wanting to justify his politics rather than dealing with the issue.
I sometimes think the Newsnight team are secretly a bit envious of 18D (they’ve been on 18D a few times and have reported on it). Its the sort of Radio Caroline of its day.
Tim was calm and measured and got his point across. What we all have to hope is that the European Union don’t ban this sort of campaigning. A way round the BBC has to found if Christianity is to survive in Britain – let alone a functioning Conservative party.