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First Click Friends - getting everybody online

2011-05-11T14:49:44+00:00

Earlier today I gave a speech at the National Digital Conference to an audience of around one thousand 'digital champions'. It's been an inspiring day to celebrate the launch of a network of 'digital champions' - anyone encouraging family and friends to use the internet. I announced the launch of the next phase of the �鶹Լ��'s own First Click campaign to build on the successes of the last, and talked about future collaborations to broaden digital inclusion. My speech began:

I'm delighted to be joining Martha, Paula and all of you today to celebrate the launch of the digital champions' network and the next phase of the �鶹Լ��'s First Click campaign. At the �鶹Լ��, we began trying to introduce the British public to the potential of digital technology back in the early 80s with the �鶹Լ�� Micro...

Read the rest of the speech on the �鶹Լ�� Press Office web site.

Mark Thompson is Director General of the �鶹Լ��

The National Digital Conference is taking place at Old Billingsgate Market, London this afternoon and tomorrow. Watch live online, from 0900 Thursday, on the ND11 web site. The hashtag is #ND11.
Read the First Click Friends press release on the �鶹Լ�� Press Office web site.
Follow @ND11 on Twitter.
Help someone get online on on the First Click Friends web site.
There's an post about First Click Friends on the �鶹Լ�� Webwise blog.

Mark Thompson at the National Digital Conference

2011-05-11T14:00:04+00:00

Later this afternoon, �鶹Լ�� Director-General Mark Thompson will deliver a speech to the National Digital Conference in London on the subject of media literacy. You can watch a live stream of the event on the ND11 website. Mark Thompson's speech begins at about 1535. Come back to the blog for further information after the speech.'

Steve Bowbrick is editor of About the �鶹Լ��

The National Digital Conference is taking place at Old Billingsgate Market, London this afternoon and tomorrow. More information on the ND11 web site.
Follow @ND11 on Twitter.

�鶹Լ�� Internet Blog - why it's important for the internet to remain neutral

2010-10-19T10:51:32+00:00

"There have already been a couple of incidents where access to �鶹Լ�� iPlayer was seriously restricted at certain times of the day. But this is broader than the �鶹Լ�� safeguarding online access to the public services we provide. Along with many other organisations, we recognise the benefits and endless possibilities that come from everyone being connected - sites like theyworkforyou, Mumsnet, and Audioboo have become highly valued democratic and social tools for so many people, while others like Facebook, youTube and Skype have become essential parts of our everyday lives - all having emerged as a result of the open internet. It's exactly these sorts of services that inspire people to go online in the first place, something which we try to help people with through �鶹Լ�� websites such as /connect and initiatives such as 'First Click' - our recently-launched media literacy campaign".

Erik Huggers, Director of �鶹Լ�� Future Media & Technology has blogged today about internet neutrality. You can read the blog post in full and make comments on the �鶹Լ�� Internet Blog.

Read Martin Wilson's blog about �鶹Լ�� First Click and Bequi Sheehan's blog about what Radio 2 are doing to encourage us to get online.

Laura Murray is Editor of the About the �鶹Լ�� blog

Get online and join in the �鶹Լ��'s First Click campaign

2010-10-18T10:11:57+00:00

"Are you by the computer now? You've got a mouse there and its working? Do you know what I mean by an icon? It's like a little picture." so said Jeremy Vine and his guest, the UK's Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox live on Radio 2 as they helped to get Valerie, a listener who'd phoned into Jeremy's show, online for the very first time.

It was all part of a campaign we ran in March across Radio 2 called Get Connected where we encouraged our listeners to get online. When I was planning the campaign, some people said that it is wrong to "force people online if they don't want to be." That was never our intention but what quickly became apparent after we launched our campaign was that many of our listeners did want to know how to use the internet; they just didn't know where to start. Many told us they felt socially excluded and "out the club". Some, like Jeremy's listener Valerie, didn't use a computer because they were scared they'd break it. Others felt that learning how to use the internet was simply beyond their grasp. But with the encouragement of Radio 2 presenters, many took that first step and over 37,000 of our listeners requested our booklet giving basic help and advice.

This week we're hoping that even more of our listeners will take that step and get online as Terry Wogan launches First Click on Radio 2 on his Weekend Wogan show. An estimated 9.2 million people in the UK don't have access to the internet and so the �鶹Լ��'s First Click campaign is seeking to help them get online, and Radio 2 is very much part of that.

For the next week, we've got lots of discussions and features on Radio 2 looking at the internet. Along with the rest of the �鶹Լ��, we'll be encouraging our listeners to phone the �鶹Լ�� First Click Advice Line on 08000 150 950 to find a beginners' computer course in their local area.

Or for those listeners who already know how to use a computer we're asking them to share their skills with a friend or relative. We've been busy filming videos for our website of Radio 2 presenters including Ken Bruce, Jeremy Vine, Simon Mayo, Claudia Winkleman and Jo Whiley talking about their experiences of using a computer. There's even a cameo appearance by Ronnie Wood!

Back in March, we flew solo with our Get Connected campaign, so it's really exciting to join with the rest of the �鶹Լ�� for First Click. The �鶹Լ�� works at its best when everyone works together, and the First Click campaign is a prime example of this. Let's hope millions as opposed to thousands see the benefits that the internet can bring to their lives and take that first step online.

Bequi Sheehan is a Radio 2 Producer

Find out more about �鶹Լ�� First Click on the Radio 2 website.

Read Martin Wilson's First Click blog post.

�鶹Լ�� launches First Click - a campaign to encourage people to get online

2010-10-11T13:02:06+00:00

Our First Click media literacy campaign begins today with a series of short trails on TV and radio, designed to persuade those not online to call an advice line and book themselves on a beginners' computer course.

I have already had a big thumbs up from two key members of our target audience - my own mum and dad. To my shame, neither was online when I started working on First Click six months ago. So, helping them get connected has been a professional and personal joy. I've seen first hand how the internet can enhance lives. The trails are aimed at people just like them - as nearly two thirds of the 9.2 million people who have never been on line are over 65.

The trails, though, are only one part of the First Click campaign. I've been really impressed by the way colleagues right across the �鶹Լ�� have been getting stuck in. Local radio and regional TV will be explaining the benefits of the internet. �鶹Լ�� Learning is providing course material and step-by-step instructions for learners and linking-up with external partners who will provide beginners' computer courses across the UK. We've got a dedicated website, �鶹Լ�� Connect, to give beginners a good introduction to the internet and are planning to launch a new online tool, MyDisplay, which will help those with accessibility needs customise the colour, font and size of text. Radio 2 is dedicating a week to First Click from next Sunday, October 17, and on Radio 4, Peggy Archer will learn to surf the web. We've also had brilliant support from Sir Terry Wogan and Linda Robson.

This is a hugely ambitious project which shows the �鶹Լ�� at its best. We have, under one roof, the expertise and reach to help our audience make the most of the internet - from understanding the benefits to practical support. And our trusted relationship with this audience makes this support all the more powerful. The �鶹Լ�� has a unique mandate to use its TV, radio and online services to do this work. Under its Royal Charter and Agreement, the �鶹Լ�� has a mission to help 'deliver to the public the benefit of emerging communications technologies and services' and also promote media literacy. And it is important that the �鶹Լ�� does all it reasonably can to help licence fee payers gain access to the �鶹Լ��'s online public services.

But we're not attempting to do this alone. When Mark Thompson, the �鶹Լ��'s Director General, launched the media literacy project last October he made it clear that he wanted the �鶹Լ�� to work closely with external partners on this. These partners include Race Online 2012, UK online centres, Digital Unite and Age UK.

We decided to launch First Click to coincide with Get Online Week - a national initiative by UK online centres which runs from October 18 to 24. During this week, there will be more than 3,000 events across the country where people can get online. In addition, local libraries and community centres will be running First Click Beginners' Computer Courses. First Click leaflets will be available in every Post Office across the UK and a special version of the First Click TV trail will be shown in 400 main branches.

Tonight, on The One Show, Sir Terry will help a retired member of the public to get online for the first time - and Linda Robson will be on the sofa, talking about her recent conversion to the internet. Both Radio 2 and local radio across the UK are dedicating a week of programmes to First Click. On Weekend Wogan next Sunday, October 17, Sir Terry will reveal the first in a series of fun videos by Radio 2 presenters, highlighting the benefits of being online. The Jeremy Vine Show will have topical discussions across the week on his show and will be catching up with the listener he helped get online back in March. The week's programmes will culminate on Friday with Steve Wright talking to Martha Lane Fox, the UK's Digital Champion about her drive to get more of the UK population online. Local radio are producing a series of features and following First Click ambassadors, including Stuart Hall and Linda Nolan, as they go online for the first time.

To keep your eyes and ears alert for all the �鶹Լ�� activity encouraging people to get online over the next few weeks. And as you're already online reading this blog, why not do what I did - and help someone take their very First Click.

Martin Wilson is Head of Media Literacy

Watch a series of short trails on TV and radio.

Read Bequi Sheehan's blog post about what Radio 2 are doing to help us get online.

�鶹Լ�� First Click - encouraging people to get online

2010-10-11T08:24:40+00:00

Martin Wilson is the �鶹Լ��'s Head of Media Literacy

You can find out more about the literacy campaign on the �鶹Լ�� Connect website.

The �鶹Լ�� and digital inclusion and participation

2009-11-03T14:34:04+00:00

I am the Controller of �鶹Լ�� Online, but earlier this year I also took on the role of the �鶹Լ��'s Online Access Champion and it's in this capacity that I want to talk about the importance of digital inclusion and participation.

I believe passionately in the principles of public service: the Reithian tradition of inform, educate and entertain is as true today as it was over 80 years ago. In the world of the internet and e-skills, the skills for life we all need are the abilities to understand, participate and influence the world around us. But how do we enable this when there are large sections of society who - due to a lack of skills and other barriers - are still offline and consequently not experiencing or even being able to access the diverse benefits of the internet?

Recent audience research specially commissioned by the �鶹Լ�� shows the scale of the challenge of getting people online: 13.8 million UK adults do not have the internet at home and, of this number, 10.6 million do not use the internet anywhere else either.

In other words, more than a fifth of all adults in the UK are completely excluded from the internet and from being part of the daily dialogue that happens, be it locally, nationally or globally. This is a very significant segment of society which risks getting left behind as the web becomes more and more embedded in our daily lives.

The �鶹Լ�� has a pivotal role to play for the public good. So, how can we better use our offer of world-class news, shows created specifically for the web - such as the recently announced Eastenders: E20 - and the multi award-winning �鶹Լ�� iPlayer to help close the digital exclusion gap?

Firstly: during Get Online day last month we made use of our wide range of outlets to reflect the message about the benefits of getting online, with coverage about the day appearing on the �鶹Լ�� homepage, the �鶹Լ�� iPlayer and across our regional websites, on TV in items on �鶹Լ�� Breakfast and Working Lunch, and on Jeremy Vine's Radio 2 show.

We have also recently launched a Media Literacy website - which brings together our offer in a cohesive way in order to help people equip themselves for the digital age.

This is a long-standing tradition with the �鶹Լ�� and is core to our public service ethos. Over the last thirty years, there are many examples of encouraging UK citizens to develop their media skills: the development of �鶹Լ�� Micro in the 80s; the 'Computers Don't Bite' campaign in the 90s, and 'WebWise' - a guide to using the internet - at the start of the new millennium.

The �鶹Լ�� was one of the first media organisations in the world to have a website - �鶹Լ�� Online will be 12 years old next month - and when it was approved, there was a clear understanding from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport that education was to be one of its key purposes.

We have played host to several initiatives over the years, and increasingly our formal learning content - for adults as well as children - has migrated online and includes: Raw; My Story; �鶹Լ�� languages; Skillswise and Ouch!.

While TV and radio retains its motivational power, it is online that is ideally suited to the interactive process that is learning. Moving forwards, working in partnership, there are big opportunities to play a useful role in alleviating social exclusion through not being online.

While I would never underestimate the scale of the challenge, by using our ability to inspire and motivate through telling stories, and by capitalising on our reach across radio, television and online, the �鶹Լ�� is well positioned to play its part in encouraging people to get online and benefit from all that the web has to offer.

(This post is an edited extract from a speech given yesterday at the Skills for Life Conference. To read the full speech visit the �鶹Լ�� Press Office site. To comment on this post please visit the �鶹Լ�� Internet blog.)