Maitland Council has passed a motion to ensure Councillors are kept accountable for the content they post online.
Councillor Ben Mitchell called for the motion to be passed, after he saw a rise in unofficial 'news' websites, some of which posted content criticizing fellow Maitland Council members, following the shutdown of a number of local news outlets.
"There's no names, there's no editors, there's no contact details on the sites. There's no accountability for the content on the sites at all," Cr. Mitchell said.
Cr. Mitchell suspected some of these "news" websites were operated by Council members anonymously.
"[These sites are posting] Selective facts, false information, virtually just propaganda to further Councillors political means. I'm trying to shed a light on who's actually behind it," Councillor Ben Mitchell said.
"They would say things they wouldn't necessarily say to someones face. In recent times I've seen the Mayor referred to as an 'out of touch b**ch', for instance, and that's just not on."
The new policy is designed to stop Councillors from posting anonymously with no accountability.
Councillor Mitchell's motion was voted in favor, "Unanimously, bar two Councillors," at Maitland Council's Tuesday meeting.
Councillors Mitchell Griffin and Sally Halliday tried to challenge the legality of motion, though Council's legal council advised the motion was legally possible.
The policy addition won't change the way Councillors post content online, however requires they disclose the websites they administer on a public register.
The new policy is already seeing results with some Councillors who supported the motion declaring for the first time they do run websites.
"That in itself means the intended impact of this motion has come partly to fruition already," Cr. Mitchell said.
 |
| Maitland Councillor Ben Mitchell Image Credit: Maitland City Council |
