By Residents of Rotorua are raising alarms over the district council’s management of social media interactions, accusing officials of stifling public discourse. Jared Adams, a concerned citizen, voiced his frustrations during a recent council meeting, claiming that the council prioritizes controlling narratives over genuinely engaging with the community. The Rotorua Lakes Council maintains that their moderation practices are strictly in line with established guidelines to ensure respectful and relevant conversations.
Community Voices: Calls for Open Dialogue
Jared Adams addressed the Rotorua Lakes Council on Wednesday, expressing his worries about the perceived suppression of public comments on the council’s social media platforms. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the community’s voices over the preferences of council staff, arguing that such control undermines trust and transparency.
Adams stated, “The public trusted them to act on their behalf and listen to concerns to ensure their voices shaped decision-making.” He further criticized the council’s approach, suggesting that limiting engagement creates an echo chamber that amplifies the council’s perspective while silencing alternative viewpoints.
Council’s Stance: Upholding Community Guidelines
The Rotorua Lakes Council responded by clarifying their actions regarding comment moderation on social media. They asserted that removing or restricting comments is only done when users violate the established community guidelines. According to the council, these measures are necessary to maintain respectful and constructive discussions.
Council’s Social Media Guidelines:
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Respectful Communication | All comments must be polite and considerate towards others. |
| Relevance | Contributions should stay on topic and pertain to the council’s initiatives. |
| No Harassment | Abusive or harassing comments are subject to removal. |
| Preventing Misinformation | Comments that spread false information or derail conversations will be moderated. |
A spokesperson for the council stated, “We welcome comments, discussion, and genuine questions via council social media channels. Our community guidelines aim to keep conversations on topic and respectful.” They emphasized that bans are a last resort, applied only after careful consideration and repeated breaches of the rules.
Impact on Public Trust: Erosion or Protection?
Adams contended that the council’s actions to limit comments on platforms like Facebook and YouTube are detrimental to public trust. He argued that these measures suggest a desire to control the narrative rather than fostering open and honest dialogue with residents.
“The answer isn’t to silence discussion but to engage with it,” Adams remarked. He believes that open dialogue on social media is crucial for accountability and allows the council to learn and grow from community feedback, especially during moments of public disagreement.
Historical Context: Past Moderation Actions
The Rotorua Lakes Council has a history of moderating comments to enforce their guidelines. In 2015/16, a resident was permanently banned from the council’s Facebook page for repeatedly violating the rules. More recently, another individual faced an indefinite ban from Instagram for sending offensive direct messages.
The council acknowledged their limited resources to monitor all social media channels comprehensively. Consequently, they focus their efforts on platforms most utilized by their community, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, to ensure effective engagement without overextending their capabilities.