It's all about politics

The Dutch general elections will be held on June 9, 2010. So it's election time, and everybody should know it! It's generally known that the internet and social media have become very important in political campaigns, especially after the success of Barack Obama in his US campaign back in 2008. But the well-known phrase 'only in America' doesn't count here. This week it was announced that the the Dutch House of Representatives will participate in two different projects in which the internet and social media play a considerable role.

Missed debates

For everyone who unfortunately missed a debate: it will be possible to track them in your own time! Debates which are being held at the plenary hall of the Dutch House of Representatives will be presented on their own website.
Name of the project: 'Debat gemist' (in English: Debate missed). The format of this website will probably be comparable to the very popular website 'Uitzending gemist' (Broadcast missed).

Youtube channel

Dutch broadcaster NOS announced its cooperation with Youtube to create a Youtube channel, which they call 'Nederland kiest' (The Netherlands chooses). This channel makes it possible for Dutch citizens to ask questions to Dutch politicians through a video message. NOS editors will select the questions and then try to provide appropriate answers. The best questions will be answered by the political leaders themselves during the NOS debate, which will be broadcasted on June 8.

The Dutch House of Representatives as well as NOS editor in chief Hans Laroes and Youtube head of communications Alistair Verney stressed the importance to experiment with social media in politics. For citizens, it becomes more and more easy to create a direct 'question and answer dialogue' with politicians. As a result, citizens become more involved and politics becomes more accessible. Let's hope this remains the case, even after the elections...