excerpt from the Weekly Bean...
Social Media - Anonymous Uninformed Assassins?
I have long been a strong proponent of the use of Social Media to reach out to the public, create positive change and to build inclusion. Recently, I have watched the world of the INTERNET, Social Media as we now refer to it, become increasingly caustic and negative.
In particular, Facebook, has gone from a place to connect with “Friends” casually, bring people of common interest together through Fan Pages, and a network designed to educate and inform; to a platform for personal attack and cyber-bullying. Often times, Facebook dialogue looks more like a school clique or a gang, with unfounded comments designed to damage reputation, question intent and mislead others who are willing to erroneously take their “Friends” comments at face value.
I have seen people on Facebook suggest salary increase %’s that were grossly inaccurate, indicate the City of Lloydminster is deep in debt, and completely misquote City Council Meeting proceedings that they were not in attendance at. Why? What could be gained, except to momentarily impress their Facebook Friends, encourage more slanderous commentary, or negatively impact community leaders for personal gain with totally fabricated information.
Facebook is not going away soon, and it will have a pervasive influence on politics and leadership for the next few years, without a doubt. Now, how will it impact our community, citizens, leaders and future elections? If I sound like I am loving the Weekly Bean…”A Moment With the Mayor” right now…I am!
Until next week…
Mayor Mulligan
Mayor Mulligan
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