Comments on: The state of the UK gov blogosphere

By: An interesting innovation discussion

An interesting innovation discussion — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 08:26:48 +0000

[...] is exactly the sort of thing I was talking about in my discussion about the .gov.uk blogosphere. it’s great to see people like Robert and James being so [...]

By: February 2010 E-Democracy News — Hot Topics | Ashoka.org: News & Knowledge Entrepreneurs

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:02:51 +0000

[...] Briggs suggests it’s important to have a vibrant and diverse set of voices blogging for government. Don’t miss his analysis. [...]

By: Lotta links | W3wb.com Blogs

Lotta links | W3wb.com Blogs — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:44:13 +0000

[...] Sound dreary? Not really, it’s all about presenting information accessibly online. The state of the UK gov blogosphere Crikey, how did I miss this one? Oh, yes, I know – that’s the day a project imploded. Then [...]

By: When I was five, I was just alive | Public Strategist

When I was five, I was just alive | Public Strategist — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:51:54 +0000

[...] so back to the discussion of the state of the UK gov blogosphere kicked off by Dave Briggs, continued before and at UK Govcamp. Now Dave is back with some fresh [...]

By: You can’t get a decent pint on Twitter | Public Strategist

You can’t get a decent pint on Twitter | Public Strategist — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:03:23 +0000

[...] else, blogs aren’t good for everything or for everyone. So the suggestion in some of the blog talk in the run up to the event that blogs are a bit passé seems to me slightly to miss the point. [...]

By: Lotta links « Policy and Performance

Lotta links « Policy and Performance — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:51:42 +0000

By: lelil (Lesley Thomson)

lelil (Lesley Thomson) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:47:50 +0000

Twitter Comment

If you're a pub sec blogger and you haven't read this blog post from Dave Briggs: [link to post], then do so! And comment!

- Posted using Chat Catcher

By: Nick Halliday

Nick Halliday — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:59:34 +0000

This is all fascinating – the reasons why I blog about things totally unrelated to work. 1) dont want to think about work at home 2) others can do it a lot better than me anyway 3) it avoids any propriety issues – I know others who have had issues in the past. Ok so I am cowardy custard

By: Lucy Toman

Lucy Toman — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:30:21 +0000

*cough*

Just getting my website address right this time.

*cough*

By: Lucy Toman

Lucy Toman — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:24:02 +0000

Another round of ‘Hear, hear’ from me.

I agree with Michelle’s comments, particularly “I don’t find I have a lack of things to write about. The issue is more whether it’s ok to write about some things because of the implications for the organisation you work for and you as an employee.”

Writing a personal blog about my civil service job is a constant balancing act between being interesting (and I do think my job is interesting, obviously, otherwise I wouldn’t blog about it!) and being professional. My blog is suitably festooned with disclaimers but I still frequently self-censor. I’m not at all surprised that most people really can’t be bothered taking the risk.

As Public Strategist says, the civil service guidance on participation online really doesn’t encourage ordinary public servants to blog, and indeed the ‘real world’ structure of the public sector means that most of us are used to doing our communication through central press offices and strategic communications divisions.

Since we’re actively discouraged from talking directly to the press in our daily lives (and I quite understand why), is it any wonder that we’re nervous about making what could be construed as public statements via blogs?