Youth, media and politics
Going to bed two more times, and all Belgian voters will be "invited" to cast their vote on their favourite party or politician(s) both for "regional" and for European representatives. Sunday 7 May is Election Day again in one of the founding countries of the European Union, Belgium, but this varies from country to country.
Another founding father (or mother?) have already voted: the Netherlands. Contrary to the European line, the results have already hit the news, with a double sad victory: the rise of Geert Wilders' extreme right party, boasting its intolerance, xenophobia and Eurofobia, and the relatively modest popular participation.
Two months ago Nicolas Baygert offered us the opportunity to discuss the interface between connected communication and politics during his presentation at Ihecs. I am taking the chance to link to a very interesting paper Nicolas published in 2008, where he very convincingly answers the question: French politics at the digital age – Did Social Media really change the Presidential Campaign of 2007?
I also want to refer here to a report Bastien Van Wylick wrote after participating in YNEM, the Youth and New European Media event that took place in Valencia, Spain, at the beginning of May. Bastien's document provides an interesting picture of this creative gathering for young journalists, journalism and communication students and professionals. It focused on "TAKE THE INITIATIVE. DO IT YOURSELF", which Bastien took literally. You can read Bastien's (unedited) document on our Admasters1 Google Group.
BTW, posting the YNEM report, I realised very few presentations have been uploaded there. It's a pitty this work and worthwhile information is not made available to all. When you find a minute to spare, upload yours: take the initiative, do it yourself!
May these lines enable you and I to cast a useful vote respectful of the issues at stake in European elections!
Jean-Pierre Ranschaert - @LIVErtising
