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Benton County updates social media policy, removes 'profanity' restriction and adds law‑enforcement exception
Summary
The board approved updates to policy A114 to reflect First Amendment guidance (removing 'profanity' as a prohibitive term), update platform names and include a narrow law‑enforcement exception; commissioners discussed coordination with the sheriff’s and DA’s offices and records archiving.
The Benton County Board of Commissioners adopted updates to county social media policy A114 after a staff presentation explaining legal and operational changes.
County Administrator Rachel McEnany and PIO staff reviewed two primary changes: updated platform references (for example, Twitter/X) and removal of the word "profanity" from prohibited content language to better reflect First Amendment constraints on content moderation. Staff said the change was reviewed in the county’s social media work group and by the policy oversight committee; the DA’s office and law enforcement requested a limited exception.
Commissioners raised questions about whether the sheriff’s office and district attorney’s office policies align with the countywide policy. Staff said some sheriff’s staff attend the county work group and that the board’s office funds records archiving that covers sheriff accounts; elected offices retain separate policies in some cases. Commissioner Pat Malone moved to approve updates and the board adopted the policy by voice vote.
County staff will continue outreach and coordination with departments and elected offices to ensure consistent application where feasible and to address records‑management and liability concerns.
