Social networking and disaster planning

I am sure that the debate over the role of social media during the current Swine Flu crisis will continue for some time.

It is though worth reading the comments of Charlie Edwards in the New Statesman who says that

Little has been made of the important role that individual citizens can play during such times of crisis and crucially the value of social media in the whole process.

He raises the point that government communication policy may have to be revised in the light of the ever expanding social networks and that

Broadcasting messages offers information, in the form of advice and guidance, to the public. Social media changes that equation by inviting us to take part and share information with others. This is crucial when it comes to disaster management and emergency planning.