Affiliations: [a] School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton
University, Ottawa, Canada. E-mail: mary_francoli@carleton.ca | [b] European Studies Research Institute, University of
Salford, UK. E-mail: Stephen.ward@oii.ox.ac.uk | Institute of Communications Studies, Leeds University,
Leeds, UK
Abstract: This article examines and compares the growth and prevalence of MPs'
blogging in the UK and Canada. We explore the scope and objectives of such
blogs, assess their democratic significance and analyse the institutional and
systemic features that help shape the blogosphere. Diverging patterns of
adoption were found: the number of blogs have increased in the UK but withered
in Canada, where party discipline has been heavily imposed. This illustrates
the impact the wider systemic environment can have on the adoption of new
technologies. Ultimately, it is concluded that while there is evidence of a
potential for MPs' blogs to serve as spaces for debate and conversation, the
current majority resemble the traditional style soapbox where few listen let
alone take the time to engage. However, there is some early evidence to show
that blogs might in fact have a great deal of potential in personality driven,
and internal party, election campaigns which have a niche, but highly attentive
audience.
Keywords: Blogs, MPs, Canada, UK, democracy, Internet, communication, personalisation, media
