The State Department has abandoned America.gov – an ambitious digital project launched three years ago to promote Democracy abroad – and shifted its resources to social media projects.
A message on the front page of America.gov informs visitors that, as of March 31, the site is not being updated and will be archived. A notice directs visitors seeking information on U.S. foreign policy to the U.S. embassy and consulate websites or to State.gov, thehill.com reported.
The manpower once devoted to the site, provided through the State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP), is being redirected toward the department’s “social media assets,” which use Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. IIP Deputy Assistant Secretary Duncan MacInnes called it a shift to a “more proactive” Web engagement strategy.
Although MacInnes said the department’s official site of record, State.gov, would still serve as a resource, a “static website” like America.gov is no longer the best way to promote understanding of policy.
“The new paradigm, particularly for reaching youth, is you have to go to where people already are on the Web. People don’t visit you, you have to go to them,” said MacInnes. “The material we produced for the America.gov centralized site is now pushed out to the embassy sites.”
The role of social media in recent revolts in Egypt “validated” the shift in strategy, following a major review that took place from September to January of this year, according to MacInnes. “It was a moment of revelation for many people,” he said.
