Parliamentary communication in an age of digital interactivity

Abstract

Purpose

Parliaments, as representative institutions, serve as communication channels between the public and the process of governance. The purpose of this paper is to consider the way in which this relationship has been conceptualised and various predictions about how it might change in the age of digital interactivity.

Design/methodology/approach

Findings from a survey of officials from 44 European parliamentary chambers are presented, together with findings from surveys of participants in several UK online parliamentary consultations.

Findings

The survey of European parliamentary officials suggests that digital information/communication technologies are being used widely, but that there is limited use of interactive features which allow citizens to comment and deliberate on policy issues. The surveys of participants in online consultations run by the British Parliament suggest that they might increase citizens' efficacy, although this might only be a short‐term effect.

Research limitations/implications

The European parliamentary survey was conducted in 2003, since when some parliamentary web sites and information systems have been developed.

Practical implications

The paper considers the consequences of digital interactivity for parliamentary representation, combining conceptual and empirical perspectives.

Originality/value

The survey of European parliamentary officials gathered data from 44 parliamentary chambers, making it one of the most extensive European surveys of its kind. The surveys conducted before and after participants took part in UK parliamentary consultations were the first ever to explore the experience and attitudes of such a group.

Citation

Coleman, S. (2006), "Parliamentary communication in an age of digital interactivity", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 58 No. 5, pp. 371-388. https://doi.org/10.1108/00012530610692339