Do D of E hang out on threads?

[wondersun]

Is it just me... or does anyone else notice a disproportionate number of posters trotting out the party line re schools, especially at times of crisis in schools.

This post has even be removed from the d of e Facebook page.

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3535507603151665&id=116423535060106&ref=m_notif&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic

It’s like they want to try and make their narrative seem like the norm and suppress any other views.

Off topic but your Gav is taking legal action against Greenwich council to reopen schools.
All for 3 days.
Looks like a bun fight between Torys and labour now.

if tories and Keir are both saying they want schools open, how is it a bunfight? Did one of the U turn?

Because it's Labour councils shutting the schools, and a Labour London mayor wanting all London schools closed.

@noblegiraffe

Because it's Labour councils shutting the schools, and a Labour London mayor wanting all London schools closed.

Yes this ^

Is the useless elf on a shelf Mayor saying all schools or just secondary? Seems to be a difference depending on where it is reported. Sorry not relevant but I am interested.

@MrsMigginsMate

I think it's far more likely that someone who works for D of E also happens to be a mumsnetter in their spare time and wanted to defend their employer via an official statement. I know some of you love to think that the government is intimidated by a random group of parents on a very niche subforum of a parenting site, but in reality I very much doubt they give a shit. They have bigger fish to fry and mumsnet is a tiny drop in a big ocean.

I know I will be flamed for this, even though it's entirely logical because you all want to be heard, but as far as the government are concerned I think you're all just screaming into the void here. (Not saying you can't be heard in other ways, a good start is writing to your MP.)

If that is the case then they are breaking the terms of their contract and could be fired for it. You have to be very careful as a civil servant what you comment on online. Commenting on stuff your department works on even anonymously is right out.

It's far more likely to be SPADs (Special Advisors - like Cummings) or Conversative Party hirees than DfE employees. Civil servants are very limited in what they are allowed to do of this nature and can get into big trouble if they do so, even at the behest of a minister.

Note to DfE employees: If you are reading along to this and commenting along in your own free time then STFU now and you might not get caught. If someone is telling you to post here however, you need to go talk to your union.

The Daily Mail and other papers are forever posting stories about threads on here. They’re in on MN watching. Gov’t is watching too to gauge public opinion and to have their moles defend them.

@Schummakker

The Daily Mail and other papers are forever posting stories about threads on here. They’re in on MN watching. Gov’t is watching too to gauge public opinion and to have their moles defend them.

Yep

Been like that for years

The daily mail should stop paying their journalists and start sponsoring mumsnet. You lot do all the hard work of finding and contributing data or evidence for them. Be it funny short opinion pieces or serious sad face ones.

While i'm sure paid posters to exist, often for election campaigns etc, accusing someone of being a paid shill because they disagree with you is a great way to shut down debate.

How are the DfE going to repair relationships with its stakeholders after this?

Not going to be easy

How are the DfE going to repair relationships with its stakeholders after this?

Cabinet reshuffle in new year. Not that it will solve anything. Gavin W obviously already knows as he's stopped bothering...

What a weird thing to assume that anyone who has a different opinion must be a troll or paid by the government.

And it's still weirder that these things apparently do happen

@StaffAssociationRepresentative

How are the DfE going to repair relationships with its stakeholders after this?

Not going to be easy

Are you thinking of teachers or parents here?

They never cared about teachers.

It is clear that the DfE has not supported teachers on the ground during this debacle. No kind words. Nothing to dismiss the prevailing attitude created through mis-information and spin. The DfE has infuriated teaching staff at all levels.

Funnily enough, the DfE fails to recognise that a lot of teachers are also parents. So yes they have to rebuild those bridges, Granted some parents may be happy but not necessarily those caught in the exam cock-up or those expecting laptops or those hoping for catch-up tutorials.

And now their relationship with councils ....

Well now the schools handbook has been leaked and includes details about how schools should only post pre-approved government propaganda on social media and monitor parent forums and provide feedback, it doesn’t seem far-fetched that this is also going on in the wider web.

Tru story that ties into OP's theory:

There was a thread back in coalition days about benefit cuts and I was furious enough about the proposals being talked about that I emailed a government minister. He actually replied referencing the thread and asked me to post his response which I did in the happy knowledge he would.be torn to shreds . Tinfoil hat time - he also seemed to know which poster I was although that was probably because my email was based on my thread post which is far less fun that the conspiracy that They are watching us.

It's certainly plausible that the government employs firms to monitor and influence large social media sites. Large companies do it too. Have you ever watched The Social Dilemma?

A large proportion of the content you see is from paid posters, and the rest is heavily manipulated by algorithms.

If a subject is important, content that is paid for will be pushed to the front.

Well, this story from June just popped up on my twitter: schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-to-tackle-fake-news-with-its-own-rapid-rebuttal-unit/

“ The Department for Education is setting up its own “rapid rebuttal unit” to tackle so-called “fake news” in the media.

It is said to be one of the first department-specific teams in government to challenge “misinformation at the source” and ensure that “misleading content” is rebuffed before reaching the mainstream.

Two job adverts for media officers to work in the unit are currently live and state that this work is “more vital than ever” in making sure the public aren’t “deceived by so-called fake news”.”

“ A DfE spokesperson said they want to “identify and counter misinformation and disinformation online, whether it is shared inadvertently or maliciously.

“That’s why we’re looking for talented individuals to join our team, helping us dispel myths and explain education policies to the public using straightforward, easy-to-understand social media content, blogs, and more.”

I guess they hired them then!