(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
June 15, 2022 - 12:21 PM
Commenters are not allowed on City of Kamloops social media posts anymore.
Through its Facebook page, the City announced a "decline in civility" on its comment sections is spreading misinformation and affecting staff mental health.
As of Wednesday, June 15, comments are turned off and the public is instead encouraged to use other communication channels to voice concerns or ask questions.
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The 'decline in civility' is also affecting any potential job seekers' perception of Kamloops, according to the post. The City has posted several job openings through its social media channels in recent months.
"We encourage the public to send their comments and questions through one of our many other communication channels appropriate to the topic such as email, phone, council meetings, public hearings, the civic operations call centre, public engagement events, or project pages on LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca," the City's social media post reads.
No other municipal governments in the region have resorted to closing social media comments, but Interior Health briefly shut off its comment sections in January and remains closed on those posts.
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The CBC also closed its comment sections when posting stories to Facebook. It began as a test in June 2021, but was later made permanent in November.
A City of Kamloops spokesperson was not available immediately for more information on the decision.
The decline in civility on the City’s public Facebook page affects many things, including our staff’s mental health, job...
Posted by City of Kamloops - Municipal Government on Wednesday, June 15, 2022
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