Opposition calls for social media policy for government officials

Opposition spokesperson on information and public communication, Nekeisha Burchell, wants the Government to urgently implement a social media policy with "stringent guidelines" for public officials.

The call, made in a media release on Wednesday, follows a controversial post to Junior Foreign Affairs Minister Alando Terrelonge's social media account in which the images of former prime ministers Portia Simpson-Miller and PJ Patterson were covered with emojis.

"This unpatriotic act by Minister Terrelonge and his team not only shows a lack of respect for two distinguished leaders who have loyally served our nation but also brings dishonour to Jamaica on an international stage, given the State Minister for Foreign Affairs portfolio held by the Minister," Burchell said. 

Terrelonge has blamed a team member for the controversial Instagram post while expressing regret at the incident.

However, Burchell said, "Minister Terrelonge's misstep has reawakened concerns about the blurring of lines between personal and official communication. When personal social media accounts are used to broadcast official government information, this often leads to public confusion and the potential for misinterpretation." 

She is urging the Government to adopt a standardised approach by designating and maintaining official channels, such as ministry and agency websites, along with verified and well-maintained social media accounts, as the primary sources of public communication.

She emphasised that these platforms must serve as the definitive outlets for all official announcements, policies, and communications from the Government.

"It is crucial to clearly separate the personal opinions and activities of government officials from their official duties," added Burchell.

"This separation will ensure that all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, can trust that the information they receive is impartial and free from personal biases. Furthermore, the practice of directing the public to the personal social media pages of public officials for national information is not suited for good governance. We have witnessed government ministers publicly upbraiding and blocking citizens who engage them on social platforms, thereby revoking their access to government information. Is this the government's policy for public communication and engagement?" she asked.

The Opposition calls on the government to:

- Implement comprehensive social media guidelines that dictate the use of official versus personal platforms for government communication.

- Designate and maintain verified channels as the primary outlets for official government communications, ensuring all content is consistent with the values of respect and integrity.

- Ensure regular training for all government representatives and their staff on these guidelines to prevent future occurrences.

- Clearly outline the consequences for breaches of this policy, establishing a mechanism for accountability and correction.

- Publicly disclose these guidelines to foster transparency and inform the public about where and how official communications will be disseminated.

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