© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Does the State Department of Transportation Need a Social Media Policy Training?

Ryan Caron King
/
WNPR
Gov. Dannel Malloy, center, with New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker in New Britain on Wednesday.
The state's transit administrator said he commented anonymously on online transportation stories.

The state’s transit administrator admitted this week that he used a screen name other than his own to comment on The Hartford Courant website. Governor Dannel Malloy said the official shouldn’t have done it – but said he doesn’t think the state has a social media policy for its employees, either.

“I don’t think we have a policy,” Malloy said at a press conference in New Britain on Wednesday. “I don’t think you develop a policy for something that you think is common sense.”

The Associated Press learned about the online activity in a Freedom of Information request from the state resulting in “scores of emails” about CTfastrak, the controversial rapid busway project that connects New Britain and Hartford.

The emails show concern from the state about public opinion on the project. The transit administrator, Michael Sanders, told the AP that he used a screen name when commenting online because on occasion it “fires up people” if he identifies himself as a transportation official.

The state does, actually, have a social media policy, issued in 2010. It defines social media as:

A web-based system that enables people to interact with one another online via user-generated content, messaging, and other interactive tools.

The state’s social media policy says, in part:

Users must identify themselves clearly and accurately in all electronic communications. Concealing or misrepresenting the individual’s name or affiliation is a serious violation of this policy.

A 2012 survey found that more than half the states in the U.S. had an employee social media policy at the time, and another quarter was developing them.

Starting this summer, South Carolina banned social media at work for all state employees in the interest of "transparency." But that doesn't necessarily relate to online activity during off-work hours.

Malloy defended Sanders on Wednesday.

“If you look at the amount of distortion that was carried on about the busway,” Malloy said, “and how everyone said – let’s see – can you name the state senator or state representative who said the busway would be an albatross around my neck? Or would he rather remain anonymous at this point? I mean, listen, there were a lot of things going on. I think Michael thought that printing the truth, and perhaps not saying it’s coming from the department, made sense.”

But the governor said that he didn’t think that approach made sense.  

“I think in this case, he shouldn’t have done it,” Malloy said. “I think it was a mistake. I think he should’ve put his name on it. On the other hand, I’m not aware of any untruths that were told. If there are untruths that were told, that’s a different matter, I suppose. But I think he should’ve said what he had to say, and said his name.”

Guests on Where We Live talked about the issue on Wednesday's political roundtable The Wheelhouse. It prompted WNPR's Colin McEnroe to talk about his deep knowledge of the Courant's comments section.

While what Sanders did may have been a violation of official state policy, it isn't clear if there are hard consequences. Malloy said his staff has talked with Sanders and they've discussed the nature of the mistake.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content