Ballarat City councillors must abide by a new social media clause which restricts them from posting their opinions online in a way which negatively reflects the council.
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The council adopted an amended code of conduct at a special council meeting on Wednesday night. There are already constraints on councillors to prevent them for posting inappropriate material, profane language or confidential information online but the new policy further tightened the ability of councillors to express their personal views via social media.
A paragraph added to the clause said: "There may be times when individual councillors disagree with a majority decision of council. Individual councillors are entitled to express their own independent views, however, this should not be done in a way that reflects negatively on individual councillors or the council.”
Councillors Amy Johnson and Samantha McIntosh expressed alarm at the initiative, arguing it had the potential to reduce the voice of individual councillors.
Cr Johnson said the changes could skew the information being provided to the community.
“I would wonder what is wrong with an organisation that has to adopt such a severely protectionist policy,” Cr Johnson said. “I also question why this is only being included in policy now and not previously.If we have rules like this, then they need to be clearer because what is regard to be negative on councillors or the organisation is always a matter of perception. It’s basically now saying councillors can’t speak negatively about the organisation or challenge it.”
Mayor Des Hudson said the policy did not seek to censor councillors on social media and only slightly differed from the existing policy implemented in 2013. He said there had to be a level of accountability on people elected as public officials and denied tighter regulations were sparked by the active online presence of some councillors.
“There will always be the provision for councillors speak their minds or their own personal opinion,” Cr Hudson said. “But it’s about whether or not having that opinion is seen to be detrimental to the councillor group as a whole. It’s about ensuring councillors remain professional and ethical. Whether we win or loose a debate in the council chamber, the majority vote reflects democracy. As a council we need to adopt whatever the recommendations made.”
