MANITOUWADGE -- Over the last decade, social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have become widely accepted as avenues to convey information, whether it be by personal or public entities. Many, if not most, businesses use these platforms to advertise, distribute information and connect to their customers.
Townships rely heavily on Facebook to advertise and announce community events, meetings and important messages such as road closures or utility outages. Personal accounts are a fun and easy method of sharing pictures and events going on in an individual’s life, or to express an opinion on various topics.
Unfortunately, misinformation can also be readily shared, often with disturbing and damaging results. When users of social media choose to share their frustrations online, it encourages others to join them, heating up the situation and incensing others to reply with a similar or counter opinion. This chain of debate can lead down dangerous rabbit holes, where wrong information and verbal abuses can be shared with a few keyboard clicks.
Many municipalities and organizations have developed plans to combat the issue, but after careful consideration and exploration of the various options, Manitouwadge’s town councillors settled on a publication, dubbed “The Truth Corner”. The publication will contain corrections of misinformation about the Township, and will direct readers to where the relevant and correct information can be found. No identifiable information will be published, but the issues will be directly dealt with, citing municipal bylaws, policies, historic data collection and evidence, which are presently in place.
When dubious information is being shared on a social media platform about the Township, town councillors, staff and the general public can call the Municipal office to report the issue. It will be investigated, and if found to be misleading or incorrect, it will be addressed by Township staff.
“Our hope is that people will feel comfortable coming to the township with concerns,” says Florence MacLean, CAO of the township. “We’d like to move the conversation to a more trustworthy, properly moderated channel. We’re more than happy to answer questions via emails, phone calls, conventional mail and the Township’s own Facebook page.”
These words, found on The Truth Corner webpage, convey a sensible attitude toward social media: ‘Freedom of expression and healthy debate are pillars of democracy that should be exercised on the principles of accuracy and integrity. We want to foster an environment that allows everyone to have a voice, not just those that are the loudest and who intimidate others from contributing.’