Prof. Tim Unwin (left) advised Parliamentar- ians to be cautious when using social media; while Baron- ess Gardner argued that advances in communication tech- nologies had brought about many changes to working practices.
protects Members only for comments made in the Chamber. He said the Parliament of Canada has adapted to the demands of information and communications technology such as by providing live video coverage of the Chamber and some committee meetings, putting Members’ voting records online and publishing Members expenses and government documents. Hansards of proceedings are available within 24 hours. Skype is also being used by Members to meet constituents, thus overcoming the great distances between
to ensure the same messages are consistently given on each site. Mr Hiebert also disputed the
common view that the social media can only be used to reach young people. He noted that the average age of Twitter users is 39 and 64 per cent are over age 35. Similarly, the average age of Facebook users is 38 and 61 per cent are over 35.
Not necessarily in the public interest A cautionary approach to the social media was advised by the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization, Prof. Tim Unwin. Access to technology, which currently is still far from universal, will not create democracy although it can be used to help democratize a country. If not used properly, it can lead to damaging errors and can in fact undermine democracy. The social media are still too
young to judge their long-term effect on democracy, he said. For example, while 13 per cent of the world’s population is on Facebook, it is not clear whether this is a large or small
percentage. By operating outside of geographical limits and traditional time constraints, the social media can create communities anytime, anywhere. They are the cheapest form of communication, but only for those with access. They create information, but they also discourage the acceptance of information which is filtered down from the top to the masses. The social media are changing the information elite and the direction of information flows. Prof. Unwin said that MPs can use
the social media in various positive ways; but if they don’t respond to social media messages they appear to be out of touch, unresponsive or uncaring. Parliaments need to manage their use of information and communications technology very carefully. While governments cannot control
information on the internet, they can use it to spread disinformation or to increase their influence inordinately. The social media invades privacy and allows governments, MPs and others to tailor information to what the public wants rather than what they need to know. Cyber security is a very
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fast-moving area and the world must determine how information can be protected The poor and the disabled can be marginalized, and the development divide between rural and urban areas can be increased by limited accessibility. Prof. Unwin emphasized that
technology can be misused and the social media may not operate in the best interests of the people or of democracy. They can be counter- democratic, he said, noting that rioting in parts of the United Kingdom had been fuelled by the use of the social media.
Questions raised A South African Member, Hon. Santosh Vinita Kalyan, MP, questioned whether electronic communications were environmentally friendly and agreed with Prof. Unwin that the long-term implications of social networking are not yet known. She also questioned whether comments by Members made in one of the social media are protected by parliamentary privilege. Prof. Unwin replied that
information and communications technologies are not always environmentally friendly. Mr Hiebert said that privilege
Members in Ottawa and constituents across the country. Hon. P.P.P. Moatlhodi, MP, of
Botswana expressed concerns that rural constituents who can neither read nor write are being left behind by technology and increased government focus on its use. Hon. Philemon Moongo, MP, of Namibia concurred, adding that the poor and the victims of social injustice have no access to the social media and even the traditional media are not interested in social injustice. Mr Hiebert, however, noted that
pictures can present information to the illiterate and Prof. Unwin pointed to technological developments that may soon enable devices to speak to people rather than just presenting them with written text. But he added that new ways must be found to reach people in rural areas and to reach people with disabilities. Another South African, Hon.
Cornelia September, MP questioned whether Parliaments and the CPA are adapting their rules and procedures to accommodate new technologies, agreeing with the lead speakers that the new media can present a threat to democracy.
Successful electronic outreach Rt Hon. Lord Foulkes of Cumnock