The city has removed all personal websites and social media links from municipal candidates' information from its own website.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com
Hatters will no longer be able to find the personal websites or social media feeds of candidates running in this October’s municipal election on the city’s website.
An announcement was posted early Thursday morning to the city’s website and was guided by two key considerations, it said: avoid perceived endorsement and align with other municipalities.
According to the announcement, the city says by sharing personal websites and platforms, it may inadvertently suggest it is endorsing the views of candidates or the content shared on their pages.
“To ensure impartiality, the city is limiting its role to providing verified candidate names as submitted during the nomination process,” reads the statement.
Fundamental information about Oct. 20’s election, including information for candidates and votes, candidate list and other resources, can still be accessed online through the city.
The changes also align with other practices in municipalities across the province.
“A brief scan of municipal practices across Alberta revealed that most municipalities do not provide direct links to candidate websites or social media accounts,” reads the statement.
The city admits its initial jurisdictional scan was conducted under time constraints but says upon further review, staff confirmed that many municipalities do not link candidate information.
“The decision to maintain neutrality and avoid the perception of any endorsement of candidate viewpoints or content remains the primary driver behind the decision,” continues the statement.
However, Lethbridge, Red Deer and Grande Prairie, all comparative sized communities to Medicine Hat, do post candidate information and links to websites and social media.
On the City of Red Deer’s webpage, candidates photos are displayed as well as a brief question and answer section. Links to all their personal contacts are published.
The City of Lethbridge posts social media and personal website links, as well as links to video messages. Grande Prairie also provides links to its candidates’ personal websites and social media accounts.
For the detailed election coverage on who is running for mayor and council in Medicine Hat, continue following the News and visiting medicinehatnews.com for ongoing election coverage.
