AS THE BARBADOS Government Information Service (BGIS) ramps up its efforts to stay connected to the general public, a warning has been sounded to its employees not to abuse the Internet.
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Darcy Boyce, during the BGIS’ social media launch yesterday at Almond Bay, Hastings, Christ Church, acknowledged that the various social media platforms now played a vital role in the dissemination of information but employees needed to have a disciplined approach.
“Over the last three decades, and particularly over the last 15 years, the world of technology has driven a worldwide social transformation born out of the emergence of a communications revolution. In this information age and in the world of technology, in particular, change now occurs at a dizzying pace
“Indeed, any media organisation which wants to remain viable and relevant in today’s world has no choice but to implement the use of new media, not only to maintain its consumer base but to attract new customers,” Boyce noted.
But he warned that at the organisational level, the use of the sites could lead to decreased productivity as they have proven to be a distraction for employees.
“I urge you at the Government Information Service, and indeed all employees, to resist the lure of socialising while on the job,” he urged.
Boyce said with the BGIS now boasting a Facebook page, along with Twitter, Instagram and YouTube accounts, the Government organisation was now in a position to play an important role in disaster management.
“Disseminating information via social media can also result in greater efficiencies in some areas. For example, notices about emergency closures or other events, such as the recent fire at the landfill, will certainly reach a wider audience at a faster rate if Twitter and Facebook are employed,” Boyce said. (RB)