HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Oak Grove Mayor Jackie Oliver addressed recent discussion about disabling comments on certain social media posts by the city. the city’s social media. This is specifically in regard to the City of Oak Grove’s official Facebook page.
Previously, Councilmember Janet Edwards brought up the fact that some posts shared on the page had comments disabled, while other posts had comments enabled. During the March 3 city council meeting, the mayor provided a statement about why the Facebook page is set up this way.
“For the sake of full transparency, I would like to reiterate the city’s position,” said Oliver. “Certain posts from the city do not allow commenting…the decision to disable comments on some posts is based solely on the purpose of the content.”
Intention behind disabling comments
She clarified that the ability to comment on a post does not target specific individuals, it prevents commenting across all viewers and followers. The decision was made in order to ensure that important information is clearly communicated without being “diluted” with unrelated comments.
Scrolling through the city’s Facebook page, posts regarding ordinances, meeting agendas and events all permit comments. Six posts in February had comments disabled. Some of them were regarding announcements from the Water Department, along a few public service announcements about joining various city boards.
“These posts are intended to be strictly informational, and not to serve as a platform for public discussion,” said Oliver. The Oak Grove city attorney advised that this action does not interfere with city policy as long as specific individuals are not being targeted.
In response, Councilmember Edwards said that for the sake of transparency, she believes comments should always be permitted. Councilmember John Campbell added that he agrees they should either always be permitted or always be turned off.
| FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Christian County Now on Facebook