10.23.07
U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services Launches Blog
Mike Leavitt, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is one of the first members of President Bush’s cabinet to use a blog to communicate with the public on departmental issues. The blog will be used by Leavitt to “discuss issues facing his department and occasionally sound off on criticism of [HHS’s] policies” (USA Today). A benefit of the blog is that it will allow the public to interact with government officials and obtain further information on policies. However, according to Michael Carpini, the dean of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, departments will likely use the blogs to promote their policies rather than offer honest reflections about current happenings.
