RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – Elected officials in Rutland are considering a new policy to govern their own use of social media.
The new policy would apply to the city’s Board of Alderman with recommendations on how members use platforms like Facebook, X, and TikTok.
The idea was brought forward by Alderwoman Anna Tadio and members of the board’s Human Resources Committee to balance how officials interact with the public on official accounts, attempting to balance Vermont open meeting laws and the First Amendment.
“I should not be blocking people or restricting access. It should be treated as an open forum where members of the public are free to comment and interact. So, those are the main differences — is really about not censoring others to interact with your account,” Tadio said. “This document is really meant to protect members of the Board of Alderman in the city, where the city is saying, look, it’s not liable for what the Board of Alderman are posting, but hey Board of Alderman, you’re on notice to post appropriately.”
The Board of Alderman is set to meet Tuesday night at 7 to consider the new policy.