Government 2.0: Opportunities And Challenges

The Government 2.0 project aims to use social media technology to increase citizen engagement and collaboration in policy making and service provision. However, Web 2.0 tools present a unique set of challenges and potential dangers for employers, employees and citizens. In the age where our social media status defines who we are, here is a look at the flipside.

A recently-released report, "Engage: Getting on with Government 2.0", lauds the internet and "culture of open collaboration" of Web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis and social networking platforms as a significant opportunity to refresh the principles and values of modern democratic government and to increase transparency in, and responsiveness by, government. But citizens need to be aware of instances when use of social media and the law, or an employer's policies, may be at odds.