New Media Awards 2007 Atos Origin

Bristol City Council Viewfinder Project

http://www.viewfinder.public-i.tv

Nominated in Contribution to civic society award category.

Developed with funding and support from the Department for Constitutional Affairs, Viewfinder offers members of the community a “Local Government YouTube” encouraging more people to participate in Bristol’s democratic process. Using video, mp3, mms images or text the easy-to-use site enables users to voice opinions on different topics raised every month such as future plans for the city centre and leisure facilities. Open to all and aiming to include people from all areas and backgrounds Viewfinder is fun, involving and works in a way in which young people in particular already respond and relate to.

1 nomination from readers

  • Bristol City Council has a proven track record of using new technology to broaden democratic engagement through e-petitions, discussion forums and campaign creation. Viewfinder’s underlying assumption is the fact that pictures, still or moving, are often the most effective way to communicate. This project uses Web2.0 techniques from successful sites such as YouTube and MySpace in order to create a new trusted and neutral social space. This use of multimedia techniques engages young people in the democratic process as well as addressing the fact that many people, of all ages, are turned off by the democratic process because “it is all about words”. The issue of user preference is also tackled by the ability to use mobile phones as one of the communication channels moving away from the dominance of the PC as the primary tool for eDemocracy.

    A full evaluation is being carried out and will be fed back to the Department for Constitutional Affairs for wider circulation later this year. The main benefits anticipated are not just increased numbers of people being involved in the democratic process but increased levels of sophistication in users responses. The project has an expectation that by creating a more neutral/mutual space and by using a medium of choice for young people we are removing a major barrier and creating an opportunity for interaction with government. It is also hoped the young people involved with Viewfinder will gain a greater understanding of the relevance and importance of local government. Unlike other interactive sites Viewfinder, because it isn’t a commercial enterprise, has the unique position of being able to offer members of the community an opportunity to interact in a trusted environment and gain feedback which will encourage ongoing engagement.

    Nominated by Catherine Howe, 08 May 2007

1 comment from readers

  • Great idea. Governments definately need to be catching up with their citizens in terms of application of technology, and this scheme appears to have the potential to improve confidence in goverments\' and councils\' abilities to communicate with their constituents.

    Submitted by Duncan Nicholas, 08 May 2007