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Fourth Circuit Court ruled that for a public official to block a citizen from commenting on the official's social media page is a violation of the 1st Amendment. A Facebook page is a "public forum" and must accept all comments.
"During one town hall meeting involving Randall, Davison had suggested that some financial improprieties were afoot. Within hours, Davison left a lengthy Facebook post on Randall's page, and she banned him. The next day, she reversed course and unbanned him, but his post remained deleted.
Not long after, Davison sued, alleging violations of his constitutional rights, and he eventually won at trial. The county chair then appealed to the 4th Circuit, which ultimately ruled that Randall's Facebook page "bear the hallmarks of a public forum," where public speech—however undesirable—cannot be discriminated against."
This is good news for anyone who engages in dialogue with elected or public officials. No word on whether this ruling will be challenged in higher court.
"During one town hall meeting involving Randall, Davison had suggested that some financial improprieties were afoot. Within hours, Davison left a lengthy Facebook post on Randall's page, and she banned him. The next day, she reversed course and unbanned him, but his post remained deleted.
Not long after, Davison sued, alleging violations of his constitutional rights, and he eventually won at trial. The county chair then appealed to the 4th Circuit, which ultimately ruled that Randall's Facebook page "bear
This is good news for anyone who engages in dialogue with elected or public officials. No word on whether this ruling will be challenged in higher court.