Social media is a tool candidates must master

It was an election with a difference, the first where social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Audioboo started to have a real impact. Nick Mann, @mannoguernsey on Twitter, spoke to some of the candidates about its effect this time and how they see it being used in future...

SOCIAL media is changing the face of how people communicate – and it has had some influence on the general election in Guernsey for the first time.

Twitter was not even on the radar in 2008 and only a few of the more progressive candidates were making tentative steps into websites and blogs.

Now it is widely recognised that you should use every tool at your disposal to get your message across.

To me, and others I asked through Twitter last night, the numbers involved at the moment are too insignificant to have won anyone a seat.

But it would be foolish to underestimate how what is said online seeps into everyday conversation – and it may well have cost candidate Joseph Irvin votes in St Peter Port North.

St Sampson's had three candidates active on Twitter – Scott Ogier, Gavin St Pier and Kevin Stewart.

Deputy Ogier said Twitter was in its infancy in local politics, but in four years' time it would be much more mainstream.

'It's been excellent to receive questions from electors and to respond,' he said.

'It's always a good way to pass on information, I think it's a great medium for contacting your deputies actually.'

But there are 4,419 people on the electoral roll in St Sampson's.

Mr Stewart has 501 followers on Twitter, which could be anyone around the world, Deputy Ogier 195.

There will be some good discussions between now and 2016 about how the traditional media covers the run-up to an election.

At the Guernsey Press we have a policy of not writing about candidates unless there is a very strong public interest in doing so or it is part of our hustings coverage, where everyone gets equal exposure.

There is growing pressure from the development of social media to change that, but there are inherent dangers of bias that come with it.

Most people in the island would know Mr Stewart from his years involved in the radio industry.

'By the next election, how will traditional media keep up with social media?' he said. 'On #gsy2012 there was a lot about candidates, good, bad, ugly, but nothing in the traditional media. Traditional media will have to look at its role. The rules may well have to be relaxed,' he said.

Mr Stewart was one of the first candidates to use an Audioboo. This is an application that allows users to post a personal broadcast via an internet link that can be distributed through channels such as Twitter, Facebook or email. Another tool to add to the colour of debate.

Orchard PR's Steve Falla said: 'Capitalising on the media revolution of recent years has brought benefits to both candidates and voters. Candidates are no longer restricted to the amount of information they can squeeze into a four-page manifesto. They can expand on this, and react to the issues raised during household visits, as their campaign unfolds in a variety of other ways.

'Voters who want to do their homework can find out much more about their candidates and interact with them directly or through a number of online public forums,' he said.

Twitter so far locally has had little of the bile that drove deputies away from some internet forums they embraced earlier this term.

Thankfully, many are still active on the thisisguernsey.com forum to answer queries that arise.

It is perhaps easy to get carried away with the role of social media – it is new, instant and exciting.

For the vast majority of voters yesterday would have made their minds up based on more traditional means, such as the manifestos, door knocks and hustings – as well as the two supplements we produced in the run-up to the event.

The second of those – based on readers' questions – had candidates complaining, but it did put them on the spot to give a brief summary of what they might stand for.

There is a lot of noise on Twitter and it is easy to get lost.

But it creates a conversation that never used to exist, and it is one that is here to stay.