A proposal to limit Salisbury City employees access to social media sites on work computers has drawn charges of violating their free speech rights.
Council member Debbie Campbell called for reworking the plan so as not to “trample on people’s First Amendment rights.”
During a work session yesterday Council President Terry Cohen said that the new rules need to avoid even a hint of trying to suppress free speech outside of legitimate government concerns.
The Salisbury Daily Times reports that information technology director Bill Garrett said he had fashioned the new rules from the policies of other cities found on the Internet.
He said they were needed because the city has stopped using Wicomico County’s Internet network in favor of its own.
And he believes the 10-year old county policy is outdated.
Mayor Jim Ireton defended Garrett saying that it’s an effort to balance free speech interests and the city’s image.
