YouTube, EUTube, and Public Diplomacy

Posted to both cubemate.com and the DDB Open Planning Blog.

It's interesting to see how well the European Union has done on YouTube in a month or so.  EUTube is well-made and makes a case for the future of the European Union and for the cause of multilateralism.

It's even more interesting to see how the U.S. government, despite its efforts at 'public diplomacy' has failed to use a communications platform built in the U.S. to disseminate its point of view.  There is no USTube.

The lack of activity online might fuel the suspicion across the globe that one of the world's first democratic nations might no longer have anything to say, no longer knows how to lead, or perhaps most frighteningly, no longer has a purpose.

A costly government shouldn't be invisible.  Always, but particularly in times of great need, it should serve the public interest and part of that should be taking care of the public spirit.  Right now, there is no stewardship; there is no discernible Voice of America.