The ABC push very hard for social integration in their shows – none moreso that Q&A. From next week, Lateline will join the fray somewhat by including a “guest tweeter”, starting with Malcolm Turnbull (will his opposite number get the same opportunity, for balance’s sake?). From the press release:
What do a prominent federal politician, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and a comedian have in common? They are all part of the inaugural ‘Guest Tweeter’ week on Lateline, ABC TV’s award-winning late night news analysis program.
Malcolm Turnbull, Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband, will kick off the new online conversation during next Monday night’s program from 10.30pm AEDT. He will provide commentary on the domestic and international issues of the day – as covered by Lateline – from his Twitter account @TurnbullMalcolm. Nobel-winning physicist Professor Brian Schmidt (@cosmicpinot) and The Chaser’s Chas Licciardello (@ChasLicc) will also feature next week.
The tweets will not be seen on screen during the broadcast, but viewers and tweeters will be able to join in online or on their mobile phones by following the #lateline hashtag. Selected tweets will be read out at the end of the program when possible.
They can also follow @lateline on Twitter to receive first-hand updates about the program, program guests and future ‘Guest Tweeters’. Lateline intends to invite a ‘Guest Tweeter’ to participate each night the program airs. Audience members can suggest future ‘Guest Tweeters’ – from any walk of life
– via Twitter (@lateline), by emailing lateline@abc.net.au or the Lateline viewer number 02 8333 3822.