A couple of weeks ago I was sent a link to a video interview with Bill Shorten regarding the Victoria police rape investigation. It was sent from retiree and social media journalist Bill Thompson who filmed it outside the ABC’s Melbourne studio for their Insiders program.
As to be expected Bill Shorten did not say much, in fact he said nothing, but the point is that even if the mainstream media do not investigate and report on a story then people using social media can and will. And social media will be a huge issue for all political parties and politicians at the next federal election as they can no longer control the media as they once did.
Click anywhere on the above video to watch. Video was filmed on the 13th of July 2014. Click here to watch on YouTube.
Social Media v Old Media (formerly the mainstream media)
Bill Thompson has a YouTube site and uploads videos. Some of the videos are interviews that he has filmed outside The Insiders studios at the ABC offices in Melbourne and include an interview with the PM Tony Abbott. (Click here to watch the Tony Abbott video)
Bill T said he could not remember where he found out about the rape allegation story but it was probably this site as he follows it. (Click here to read the previous posts on the rape allegations) From there unknown to me Bill T tried to interview Bill Shorten in Melbourne and then Bill T sent me an email letting me know of the video on YouTube. It shows that when people using social media work together we have as much reach for news gathering as the mainstream media organisations.
While Bill T’s video is not perfect it does add to the story and it will make it more difficult for Bill Shorten to get away without answering the question next time. Shorten can’t run forever and neither can the Liberal Party as the below video with Arthur Sinodinos shows. Someone has to say something and the sooner the better.
Click anywhere on the above video to watch.
For far too long the old media have decided what the public should and shouldn’t know. Now instead of complaining about it a lot of people are taking things into their own hands and getting out there and asking the politicians the hard questions. Bill’s videos of Bill Shorten and Tony Abbott shows that social media is closing in on the mainstream media in a big way. It is not just people like me running this site, there are plenty of others doing their part.
Social media coming to an election near you
Next time you see a politician grab your video camera or mobile phone and start asking the questions that other media do not. (Remember you are part of social media) For example ask them what they think about the Bill Shorten rape investigation and whether or not Bill should stand down until the investigation is completed. It will be an election issue at the next federal election as social media will make sure of that.
Slowly but surely the voice of the average person is getting louder and louder.
Please use the Twitter, Facebook and email etc. buttons below and promote this post.
This site is independent and reliant on donations to keep publishing. If you would like to support the continuance and growth of this site it would be greatly appreciated if you make a donation. Click on the button below to donate via PayPal or go to the donations page for other donation options (Click here to go to the Donations page)
And make sure you follow this site by email which is at the top right of this page and about twice a week you be notified when there is a new post on this site.
Thank you for your support.
Categories: Bill Shorten
Is that a taxpayer funded Commonwealth car ferrying him around to his Police interview?
What a great alternative Prime Minister….
looks like one, with a chauffeur?
The LABOR PARTY has a reputation for revenge, and many in the media fear them.
I am sure that is why they get away with so much, and there is one rule for them and one for the Liberals.
I read somewhere Shorten was told the media would look after him, well they are sure keeping their promise.
Tony Abbott is a saint when compared to him.
One word: Unions!
Good on Bill Thompson in his interviewing of politicians. Social media is growing so fast in this country that it is virtually becoming the main media. We need more people like Bill Thompson doing this. As for Bill Shorten, the walls are closing in on him day by day. Bill Shorten can run but can not hide. This is Rolf Harris all over again with the Australian mainstream media. Bill Shorten can fool the Australian mainstream media, but can not fool Australia’s social media. I’m sure Shorten is one step closer to being charged.
I am waiting for the day when the law catches up with Shorten curlies and he gets his just desserts, I have no doubt he will get away with his dirty work in the AWU but the rape allegation will be diffiult to defend and the public’s view of him is pretty low in my circle of friends. God! imagine if he got near the PMship we would be the laughing stock of the world. Allan from Myalup WA.
We are seeing in so many ways now how Mainstream Media, with its various dominating characters and cultures has effectively been weaponized for the purpose of determining and controlling our opinions and beliefs. We owe it to ourselves to follow sites like this, and think of them as being the primary form of media.