WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The City of Wausau is accepting public comment on a new social media policy document aimed at making sure everyone is respectful when interacting on official city platforms.
Mayor Robert Mielke says they’ve been discussing the policy for some time, and it falls in line with what other similar cities have put in place. “It’s not intended to restrict any type of communications or actions or anything like that,” he said.
Mielke said the policy applies to anyone that might have access to an official city Facebook or Twitter page, and also extends to those on the city council. “The city has an interest and an expectation in protecting the integrity of information posted on social media sites and the content that is attributed to the city and its officials.”
With that in mind, the policy encourages all city employees with administrator privileges for a city page to monitor the site and respond promptly to questions or replies and replace stale or outdated and incorrect information.
Much of the policy focuses on treating residents in a “good, decent manner.” Things that are and are not accepted as far as public comments are also covered. According to the policy comments deemed to be obscene, violent, pornographic, or unlawfully attacks a certain group will be removed. Additionally, any content supporting or opposing a political campaign, violates any federal, state, or local law, or is deemed unrelated to the original topic will also be removed.
Per the policy, the city will retain a copy of the removed comments along with the time and date they were posted and by whom. The identity of the staff that removed the post and reason why will also be documented.
Public comment on the document will be accepted through Friday evening, and Mielke said the city is all for hearing anything constructive about the policy.
