The Recorder & Times (Brockville)
Negative social media commenters `pathetic': Councillor
Sometimes, the seemingly endless negativity on social media demands a catharsis, and on Tuesday city Coun. Phil Deery showed colleagues how it is done.
Deery joined fellow members of city council's general committee in recommending the full council back the posting of a statement on negative social media use to the city's website, in an effort to get keyboard warriors to reflect on the impact of what they say before going after city staffers online.
While some members of the online commentariat have accused the city of censorship with the measure, the recommendation includes no provisions to block or otherwise silence commenters online – just an invitation to “have your say, the respectful way…."
Speaking in support of the measure on Tuesday, Deery unloaded on the negative commenters, beginning with those commenters accusing the city of suppressing speech by posting the statement.
“It was incredible how negative the comments were about the idea that we would somehow be imposing on people's right to free speech. It was ridiculous,” said Deery.
The councillor said it is disappointing that city officials have to put out a statement urging people to be civil in their comments. He then proceeded to unburden himself of a frustration felt by too many who must exist online.
“You can sit behind your computer screen, say whatever you like and somehow you think people care,” said Deery.
“Some people actually believe that I'm going to spend five seconds of my time caring about what your lack of vocabulary or intelligence is presumably put onto the social media site.”
“If you actually think that you're gaining anything from doing that, it's a representation of how truly pathetic you are.”
Deery acknowledged his choice of words may not have been the best, but they reflected his frustration at those online commenters who feel their distance or anonymity gives them licence to abandon all civility.
“People have no concern about what they say and they hide behind their little screens at home pretending that they can say and do whatever they want, but if they were asked to come and sit in front of you and say the exact same thing, 99 per cent of those same people would never show their face,” said Deery.
“Maybe I'll get some bad reviews tonight,” he concluded, “I hope so, anyway.”
The statement on negative social media behaviour follows direction from council to staff in February, when Mayor Matt Wren said he has had to “turn over disturbing communications” to the city's police chief and take precautions to protect his home and family as a result of one online interaction.
In a report to the general committee, city human resources manager Lindsay Armstrong and city manager Sandra Macdonald note the statement “was prepared as a result of the negative comments including verbal attacks on staff that are becoming increasingly common.”
If the full city council backs the idea at its meeting next week, the statement posted to the city website will begin: “Have your say, the respectful way…."
It goes on to note that some people on social media post inaccurate information, whereas city staffers are “bound by legislation regarding the protection of privacy, and as such are unable to comment on social media with details regarding specific files or individuals involved in private confidential matters.”
It adds that some people who are dissatisfied with their interactions with the city vent their frustrations on social media.
“When social media posts are created in a respectful manner, opportunities for further discussion and reflection can be created, but when posts are created in a disrespectful,inaccurate and slanderous manner, it can be incredibly harmful,” the statement continues.
It asks people to consider how they would feel if someone posted negative comments about them; what outcome they are hoping to achieve; and whether the information they are sharing is truthful.
Wren said Tuesday the statement is not about protecting elected officials from online animus, but rather ensuring a safe working environment for staff.
“This is the elected officials making a statement about civility towards the people that work here and keep the community moving, and I think as community leaders we have an obligation to speak up in this situation,” said the mayor.
Wren suggested “people in the community who are of good will and high standards and civility” can deprive the less civil users of their audience by blocking them in whatever way the respective platforms allow.
Coun. Jane Fullarton, the committee chairwoman, also said the statement is meant to support staff.
“We're not going to be able to legislate good manners or kindness, but we can certainly speak up against (incivility)," she said.