ACMA delves into social media

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has delved into the world of social media, expanding its Gov2.0 strategy and employing a former journalist and ministerial advisor to take charge.

Tom Burton, former Sydney Morning Herald executive editor and ministerial adviser to former Communications Minister, Michael Duffy, will be in charge of helping ACMA better engage with the public, through the use of social media apps and social networking tools.

Burton has spent the last few years implementing Web2.0 and Gov2.0 practices as communications and online director at The Center for American Progress (CAP), a think tank run by the Obama Administration.

Burton said he was impressed by the Government 2.0 Taskforce’s recent report and was looking forward to the challenge.

“Rapid changes in media and communications markets are fundamentally changing communication and media industry and consumer behaviour,” he said in a statement. “New Web tools are now available to engage and dialogue with a broad range of users and stakeholders.

“These give users quick and easy access to government and in turn help inform and drive better decision-making for government and its agencies.”

The Government 2.0 Taskforce released a draft report into its use of Web 2.0 technologies in December and is seeking comment before submitting a final report to the Federal Government.

The draft report notes the Federal Government agencies "must do better" to achieve the Government 2.0 goals and said agencies have not pursued "Government 2.0 in a co-ordinated way that reflects a whole of government position".

The Government 2.0 Taskforce also ran the GovHack initiative, which released Federal Government data to developers to create new and engaging web applications.

More detail on the taskforce recommendations can be found in the report.

Burton starts his position with ACMA on February 1.

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