By editorial@silicon.com, 8 May 2001 17:45
COMMENT Nevertheless, as we saw in the US last November, the web and internet technologies are set - for the first time - to play major parts in determining the outcome of the poll. Parties will try to use email and websites to reach out to the electorate, vying for the title of Most Technology Friendly, and all the while millions of people will be influenced by what they read and see online. (Whether they respond positively to what they see is another matter of course - see: 'Blair gears up for e-lection' http://www.silicon.com/a44268 ) In many ways, this is to be welcomed. For one thing, parties that are innovative - rather than those with the most cash for billboards or for extensive tours of the country - will benefit. And the phenomenon of politicians having to pander to the same handful of national newspapers, each with their own communities of interest, is nothing to be proud of. Of course many of the most successful online news outlets are related, in some way, to the same paper-based publications or their owners, but there are plenty of independent and often grass roots services that simply weren't on the news radar even four years ago. It's unlikely the internet will make or break a campaign, but over the next four weeks silicon.com will bring its readers the stories behind the campaigning and the lessons stuck-in-the-mud parties are learning. The race has begun, and we're keeping an open mind on who will prosper most from harnessing the internet. We'll let you know what we find - although hopefully our coverage won't induce feelings of nausea...
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