Published on Friday, 28 August 2020 at 12:59:00 PM
As a community, every single member is entitled to have an opinion and comment on posts that the Shire shares on local topics and issues with the community on its Facebook and Youtube channels. Council in fact encourages commentary on these topics and issues. We want to hear our community’s opinion on all topics and often it can provide valuable insight that help Council to factor in the community’s viewpoint when making decisions.
However, increasingly as of late the community may have noticed that some of their comments are being deleted from Shire posts. All community members deserve to be able to discuss their thoughts and opinions on public matters in an environment of mutual respect. This also includes Councillors and staff who have increasingly been on the receiving end of significant amounts of derogatory language, unfounded accusations, etc.
Council respects the right of community members to voice their opinions, especially on local projects and issues they feel passionately about. There are several issues currently which the community clearly wants to communicate their concern to Council about. However, that does not excuse poor behaviour online, especially in light of the fact that many would not make such comments face to face when speaking to Council or staff. Many of the comments are blatantly false and/or derogatory and most times the Shire often hasn’t even been approached in the first instance by the community to seek clarification on these matters.
Council asks that the community please remember that they and staff are here first and foremost to service our community. We strongly believe in being open and transparent and we will continue to work hard to improve how we communicate with the community. In return we ask that the community respects our efforts. We are all in this together so let us together forge ahead so that we can continue to be a progressive community that celebrates our diversity and unique way of life.
As such, all comments that are deemed to be offensive, obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing, bullying, hateful, racist, sexist or otherwise unlawful, will be recorded and then deleted.
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