IMO is embracing social media
Something has changed at IMO.
Since June, IMO has embraced social media. It has engaged direct discussions with the maritime community worldwide, providing answers to numerous questions, commenting opinion pieces and providing multimedia reports of technical sessions. It has indeed become more accessible than ever.
No doubt environment will soon be a key focus of the discussions. All over the world, expectations are high to see IMO leads the global maritime community towards more environment-friendly practices and especially to cope with the growing threat of oil spills and accidental pollution. Sea lovers want to know how IMO decisions change their lives for good, or bad.
Behind IMO social media program is Karine Langlois, IMOs new media Officer. She gave Maritime Passive Safety (MPS) an exclusive interview to explain why IMO has joined the conversation.
1. MPS: What has convinced IMO to become active on social media?
Karine Langlois (KL): The logic and pace of communication in our times makes it essential that we increasingly use the Internet and social media. The United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) is harnessing social media and encourages all UN agencies to adopt this practice. IMO is part of this effort and seeks to implement communications campaigns on a range of issues using social networks. But the primary goal for using social media is to build greater awareness of the Organization and to promote its work and activities.
While there was no official launch for the usage of social media by IMO, our very first online campaign culminated on June 25th to mark the Day of the Seafarer 2011. The universal outreach of social media sought to raise awareness of the vital role that seafarers play in the world economy.
The platforms used by IMO are currently: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr and YouTube. While we do experiment with SlideShare, Tumblr and the like, we are open to other ones, but we are focusing on the networks mentioned above.
2. MPS: The International maritime community is generally perceived as conservative and moderate. Do you think the maritime players are ready to engage in social media communications?
KL: The shipping industry and the maritime community as a whole are starting to see the impact of online media and with better and faster technology on ships we will see an increase in web and online activities from stakeholders. And, while the industry has traditionally been close-knit, public interest and demand will also encourage the maritime industry to start taking part in online discussions and dialogues.
But, most importantly, social media can no longer be ignored, not even by the maritime industry; the Internet is now the third most-popular news platform, behind local and national television news and ahead of national print newspapers, local print newspapers and radio. In todays new multi-platform media environment, news is becoming portable, personalized, and participatory and the maritime community is starting to participate.
3. MPS: Are you in contact with ship owners through social media?
KL: We are using the same platforms as many ship owners and sometimes exchange on Twitter or LinkedIn. We try to be in contact with communication focal points and share our experiences or best practices on using social media within this industry. We hope to develop a more comprehensive network in the future.
4. MPS: Which national/continental communities seem to you the more ready to take on the social media turn?
KL: Its very difficult to say, from our experience with Day of the Seafarer, we have witnessed amazing initiatives from all over the world. From South Africa and Brazil to the Philippines and Europe, organizational and individual participation was represented from all over the world. Some parts of the world that may not have the same level of technology still managed to send a few tweets and photos from events taking place in their countries.
Karine Langlois
New Media Officer at IMO
This article has been initially published at Maritime Passive Safety