| New media as a mediator between citizens and MPs? The example of abgeordnetenwatch.de |
|---|
| Albrecht, Steffen; Trénel, Matthias (2010): Neue Medien als Mittler zwischen Bürgern und Abgeordneten?. Das Beispiel abgeordnetenwatch.de. TAB discussion paper no. 012. Berlin: Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB), 80 pp. |
Abgeordnetenwatch.de is an online platform that allows members of the public to ask questions publicly of individual MPs, and enables MPs to answer these questions. The platform is a subject of controversy amongst members of the German Bundestag. Whilst some view the sheer volume of enquiries as an additional burden that is almost impossible to manage, and feel it resembles a public pillory rather than a citizens’ consultation hour, others actively embrace the opportunity to convey their political views.
At the suggestion of the parliamentary rapporteurs for technology assessment, the TAB examined the internet platform Abgeordnetenwatch.de. With the support of Zebralog, Berlin, the study described the business model of Abgeordnetenwatch.de, identified its fundamental objectives and modes of operation, and analysed its actual usage. Furthermore, the quality of the questions and answers was assessed through content analysis, and Abgeordnetenwatch.de was compared with similar e-democracy projects both in Germany and abroad.
|