Researchers pursue a Citizens’ Agenda this federal election

University of Melbourne researchers will use the federal election to test the capacity of social media to increase civic engagement in the political process and enhance political journalism. The Citizens' Agenda project will be driven by the University's Centre for Advanced Journalism , in partnership with Fairfax Media and the social media group OurSay. It will involve pre-election town hall meetings and community forums in key seats. Candidates will be asked questions selected - or 'crowdsourced' - by users of OurSay's website and social media channels. Researchers believe this will be the world's first social media "intervention", exploring the potential for media organisations to pursue a "citizens' agenda" to influence both political reporting and the conduct of an election campaign. The project was launched on Saturday by the Managing Editor of Fairfax Media (National), Mark Baker, and the Director of the Centre for Advanced Journalism, Margaret Simons. Simons said the project should answer questions that have become increasingly urgent for both journalists and politicians.