NCCo Government Thinking of Advertising on Their Website
The Community News reports that NCCo is thinking seriously of allowing advertisers for the government’s website to help raise money:
Like other sites, Sheldon envisions banner ads across the top of the page and along the sides, with advertisers paying the county a small fee per click.
But Councilman Robert Weiner (R-Chatham) said allowing doing so could make the county vulnerable to lawsuits.
“Given the Constitutional protection given to freedom of speech, it would be difficult for New Castle County to exercise any discretion into which commercial entity could take advantage of it,” he said. “For example, an adult-entertainment business could file suit if we didn’t allow them to advertise.”
County Executive Chris Coons, said he had concerns about whether advertising could be clearly delineated from county services, and whether the ads could create a perceived conflict of interest if the company does business with the county.
It seems odd to question the propriety of advertising on the County site when there are plenty of regulations for what can and cannot be advertised on a billboard or on the side of a bus. I don’t think that DART is drowning in lawsuits from porn companies who want to advertise their lastest in one of those crazy wrap ads.
Personally, when I am going to the County’s website, I am going there for taxpayer business and information and I presume that the taxes that I already pay go to make this information accessible. I’ve already paid for this information — soliciting more funds to just do what ought to be a baseline seems silly. But — listen up NCCo — you could sell this as a way to pay for live streaming and long-term web access to video of County Council and Committee meetings. And then implement it. It wouldn’t that much effort or money, really.
(h/t anon friend)
Tags: NCCo, Open Government
It is a dumb idea. Although I am in favor of making Tom Carper wear a NASCAR style jacket with the patches of all of his sponsors adorning it.
I’m kind of meh about the whole thing. I don’t really see the big deal.
Although I am in favor of making Tom Carper wear a NASCAR style jacket…
…and then placing him in front of your caller-friend who kept calling you “Al”, among saying other shocking things.
Although I am in favor of making Tom Carper wear a NASCAR style jacket with the patches of all of his sponsors adorning it.
This is a Photoshop opportunity if I ever saw it.
As I thought about this further, it is interesting to me that someone at the County actually gets that well-trafficked websites can be an asset, but that whoever is managing this asset can’t see how to increase the value of this asset by streaming council meetings and archiving them so folks can watch later.
El Somnambulo thinks that Carper would be PROUD to wear a NASCAR suit with all his fave corporations adorning it. When he says he listens to his constituents, those ARE his constituents.
Governments are asked to do more with less. Citizens want services, but don’t want their taxes increased to pay for the additional services. The only alternative is for government to find alternative revenue sources, and to start operating like a business. Website ad revenue is a perfect way to offset Information Technology costs. The choice then becomes the Citizen’s as to whether they want to click on the ad, or not. No new taxes to pay for services, the choice is yours, now that’s American and a brilliant idea!