tax supported agencies and facebook

[anleo]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Missouri

Can a tax supported agency (an ambulance district, in this instance) delete tax payers from their facebook page for no reason other than they don't like the tax payer? Further, can they delete messages posted on the wall if they don't like them as well (I was told they could "hide" them, but not delete them)

Do this infringe on first amendment rights or violate any rights?

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Missouri

Can a tax supported agency (an ambulance district, in this instance) delete tax payers from their facebook page for no reason other than they don't like the tax payer? Further, can they delete messages posted on the wall if they don't like them as well (I was told they could "hide" them, but not delete them)

Do this infringe on first amendment rights or violate any rights?

Yes, yes, no.

 

[anleo]

Yes, yes, no.

Can the information be obtained via sunshine law?

 

[Zigner]

Can the information be obtained via sunshine law?

What information?

 

[anleo]

What information?

comments made on facebook which were considered inflammatory (but were not)
The page is set up as the Districts FB page.

 

[FlyingRon]

What do you mean "delete" from the page (not that it makes much difference).

If you mean remove the ability to post, yes they can.
If you mean delete certain comments made, yes they can.
If you mean deny access entirely, well, you'd have to make a fairly compelling argument that this somehow constituted an record which should be open (and even then real time access online probably isn't mandated).

If you want a bully pulpit to make critical statements, you're free to create your own page.