An Arizona town has reportedly created a department to monitor and manage the online comments of its employees. free news in arizona It was reported on Thursday.
The Town of Gilbert, located in the Phoenix metropolitan area, has created an Office of Digital Government, which some say is being used to restrict speech by town officials.according to KTVKODG was formed five years ago.
Perhaps the first department of its kind, the department is dedicated to “developing progressive policy.” She is responsible for “all internal, external, digital communications, public relations, marketing and open data initiatives” for the town, according to the report. Website.
Corinne Murdoch and AZ Free News report The town is spending $1 million a year to cover the salaries of the department's employees who “manage the online speeches of town employees and elected officials to ensure compliance with a progressive political agenda.” It is said that they are spending more than that amount of tax. Employees' annual salaries range from “well over $60,000” to $200,800, according to the report.
The department monitors online postings by town employees, including on private social media pages. AZ Free News reports that if an employee posts a political opinion that does not align with liberal policies, the agency will contact the employee and pressure them to remove the post.
Former employees told news outlets on condition of anonymity that part of the reason for their departure was overreach by the department. They pointed out that all messages posted on social media must be approved by the ODG.
“It was difficult to achieve anything,” a former employee told AZ Free News. “Everything was very tightly controlled. The local people were upset because they couldn't do anything.”
“When I worked there, they were pressuring the police chief and fire chief to be more liberal. Then there were emails saying they were excited to have the police chief kneel to BLM.” added the former employee.
“If we don't like what's posted, we're going to let you know,” Austin Vanderheyden of the Goldwater Institute told KTVK, referring to ODG.
Vanderheyden said 10 to 12 city employees monitor the online activities of other town employees.
Gilbert City Councilman Jim Torgeson told KTVK that the department confronted him about the “premature deletion” of a survey he posted on his personal Facebook profile.
“Twenty minutes later, someone on my staff called me to remove the post, which was on my personal Facebook page,” Torgeson explained.
Vanderheiden called it “a classic example of government overreach.”
“The Town of Gilbert is proud of the outstanding work of our Emmy Award-winning Office of Digital Government and the ODG team, which has delivered record levels of community engagement and interaction for many years,” Gilbert told the media. We recognize that our community depends on us to share information and engagement opportunities in a fully inclusive way, and we ensure that our communications always reflect this. We are committed to making sure that we do.”
“The Town has made it clear that it will not tolerate divisive, offensive, or culturally insensitive posts by employees purporting to represent the Town. To ensure that we uphold this promise to the public, we The bureau is the official source of information and communication for the town. “Our residents and business owners should no longer have to deal with false allegations from anyone, including disgruntled former employees.” added.
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