ichannel, Canada’s political and social issues network, is launching an ambitious new television and Web-based series that will harness the power of social media to hold federal politicians accountable.
#FAQMP is a weekly political affairs discussion series that uses social networking platforms to let viewers collaborate with the producers in the creation of the program.
The half-hour show airs Mondays on ichannel, starting Oct. 24, at 8 pm ET. It repeats at 8 pm PT, and on Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 pm ET/PT.
Viewers are involved in #FAQMP throughout the production process. They can vote at the series Web site (FAQMP.ichannel.ca) to determine which Members of Parliament will be interviewed on the show, and can submit questions to be posed by host Karyn Pugliese.
On Monday nights, starting at 8 pm ET, viewers can watch the show as it’s streamed online at FAQMP.ichannel.ca, and can take part in a live chat with the series production team.
Viewers can also upload videos and photos on the #FAQMP Web site, and can interact with the series on Facebook (facebook.com/FAQMP), Twitter (twitter.com/FAQMP), YouTube (youtube.com/FAQMP) and Flickr (flickr.com/faqmp).
“#FAQMP is about bridging the gap between politics and the people whose lives are affected by decisions made in Ottawa,” said host Karyn Pugliese. “Nowhere else, either on television or online, can ordinary Canadians get so close to the people in power.”
Rosemary Fusca, the network’s Head of Programming, said ichannel and its parent company, Toronto-based Stornoway Communications, are committed to exploring the potential of online and social media for collaboration between viewers and producers of content.
Said Ms. Fusca: “#FAQMP represents an important landmark: our first series that fully embraces interactivity and allows viewers to communicate directly with their elected officials.”
