Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Communications topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Shorewood board votes to turn off comments on village-run social platforms amid moderation concerns
Summary
Following a committee recommendation and debate over moderation capacity and First Amendment implications, the Village Board approved an amendment to Policy 31 to turn off comments on village-run social media platforms in a 3-2 vote.
The Village Board voted 3-2 on May 4 to amend Policy 31 (communications) and turn off comments on village-run social media accounts. The proposal came from the Community and Business Relations committee, which forwarded an amended Chapter 4 (sections D and E) for board action.
Board debate: Supporters of the change said staff lacks capacity to moderate comment threads and that comment sections on official pages often include off-topic, vulgar or hateful posts; they argued that keeping clear contact information on every post preserves residents’ ability to provide feedback through direct channels. Opponents said turning off comments limits public exchange and could foreclose beneficial discussions; some trustees said a moderated or selective approach could be preferable.
Legal and practical notes: Village counsel explained that social platforms are treated as public forums in many contexts and that platforms have their own moderation policies; deputies noted that platform enforcement is inconsistent. Several trustees said the village will continue to provide contact methods on posts and will encourage public discussion through other channels.
Outcome and follow-up: The motion to adopt the Policy 31 amendment and disable comments on village-run social accounts passed 3-2. Staff will implement the change and ensure posts include clear contact information for residents seeking to provide feedback or request services.
