NPR: Downing Street Gets a Twitter Account

Downing Street Gets a Twitter Account

Filed under: News

BPP Twitter pal @robpatrob send this link to a Twitter account called Downing Street.

It's billed as the "official Twitter channel for the Prime Minister's Office based at 10 Downing Street." One post says the British P.M.'s digital communications team is behind the feed, which started on March 26. Sample tweets:

"Gordon Brown says the delay in publishing the Zimbabwe election results is inexcusable. Democratic rights must be restored in Zimbabwe"

"the PM is away at the NATO Summit in Bucharest but Downing Street staff are busy busy busy"

"Civil servants aren't used to typing at speed!"

I've requested an interview. We'll see.

Bonus: The way less personable White House Twitter account started on Sept. 6, 2007.

Laura Conaway

9:00 AM ET | 04- 4-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

This is off-topic, but easier than emailing.

I notice the podcast has been having trouble again. Usually the segments are 25 meg each, today the first segment is 8 meg and the second is 17 meg. I'm missing nearly half of the Beep! When I go to the main NPR website I get just the 8-meg chunk. (This might be a larger problem because I believe even when everything is working only one segment is available on this site.)

Ordinarily I'd be slightly bummed and move on, but today is the day of the new book club book announcement. So what is it? I gots ta know!

Sent by Dave Wiley | 11:15 AM ET | 04-04-2008

@Dave Wiley: D.C. says it's "our truncation issue....a major, major malfunction." They're working on the big problem and meanwhile recutting today's.

Sent by Laura Conaway, NPR | 12:23 PM ET | 04-04-2008

Hey, Dave.

We should be posting a blog item about it shortly, but the new BPP Book Club selection is....The God of Animals, by Aryn Kyle.

It's not Terry Pratchett, but I hope you don't find it soul-crushing...

Sent by Sarah Goodyear | 12:24 PM ET | 04-04-2008

Back on topic: The difference between the White House and the 10 Downing Twitter accounts is really quite telling, isn't it? First off, why is George Bush's face the icon for the White House? Why not the actual, you know, house?

Sent by Sarah Goodyear | 2:35 PM ET | 04-04-2008

And are you guys also following Brian Paddick who's running for mayor and taking questions via Twitter?

http://twitter.com/brianpaddick

Still time to ask a question! :)

http://snurl.com/232nv [www_brianpaddick_org]

Sent by Marilyn | 10:14 PM ET | 04-06-2008

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