Online tools and the EUs Communication Policy European Media in transition – trends and developments January 2011, Brussels European Economic and Social Committee Press Officers Seminar Jamal Shahin Postdoctoral Research Fellow Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Institute for European Studies

What is changing? Patterns of communication are changing: from organised to self-organised spontaneity/immediacy space/place redefined. Politics has changed: democracy challenged. Europe! (Growing, new powers, Lisbon Treaty) but what role does the EU play in citizens lives?

Public deficits in engagement and trust of political actors: openness? Complexity leads to perceived lack of control: accountability? Resistance / reform (oppositional social) movements have changed our way of thinking about politics and democracy: representative or direct democracy? Globalisation has meant that many things happen outside polities: weakened legitimacy Where is the most appropriate place for politics to take place? Democracy

Early Growth July 2009January 2010 Facebook logins/day 120 million175 million Active Twitter users6-10 million15 million Wikipedia articles2.9 million3.1 million Europa site visits18 million25 million

Aims of engagement: what do you want? Elections, policy, opinion-building and understanding or Interaction, engagement, creation and collaboration?

Forms of engagement Voting Agenda setting Issue-related consultation Monitoring and feedback

EU Communications Policy Europa (I and II) / Your voice Plan D Going Local Commissioners and others have blogs Toolkits/seminars But a lot is talk about Europe Transformation or continuation?

The internet didnt win Obama the US Election

Mobilising engagement Make politics a part of citizens lives, by highlighting the relevance to them of political decisions. Frame debates in terms that citizens will understand and appreciate. Clarity is necessary! Build up political literacy, through encouragement for political activity. Start with youth, and make participation fun!

9 Recommendations Networks networks networks Cooperation with European civil society organisations, political parties, media and industry are necessary to deal with half a billion people (and the rest of the world). Any strategy must use different tools, including, codes, charters, quality guidelines, decision-aids, agreed structures and rules for debate, policy input, etc. Linking networks at all levels, from (and between) local to European: listen to the local buzz.