Plymouth councillors banned from Twitter
The ban on Twitter was introduced this week, when councillors attempting to log on to the site found themselves redirected to the council’s internet home page.
Last week Labour Leader Tudor Evans found himself in trouble over insults to a fellow politician he made on Twitter.
And a Twitter user has established a page under the name Viv P, using an image of council leader Vivien Pengelly, and tweeting on council matters such as the sale of CityBus.
An email from Chief Execeutive Barry Keel to all staff and councillors this week said teh use of Twitter was now restricted to the council's corporate communications team.
Councillor Evans, who tweets using @councillortudor, said: "Banning Twitter is another kneejerk reaction from a council that is barely able to cope with email let alone YouTube and Facebook.
"It is worrying that a Council has banned democratically elected Councillors from communicating the political process in Plymouth.
The email banning Twitter
"Let's be clear this isn't about Twitter, this is about the Council stopping Councillors talking about what happens inside and outside the Council's Ivory Towers."
Luke Pollard, Labour's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for South West Devon was recently named as the 10th most influential Labour person on Twitter, said: "It is disappointing that the City Council hasn't recognised the value of using Twitter like so many other councils have.
"Twitter has the potential to open up politics providing real-time transparency of the political process.
"By banning Twitter the Council has done more to promote its use in Plymouth City Council than anything those on Twitter could have done to promote it.
"In the process they have exposed themselves as a backward looking authority blundering about in the internet age."
“Not even the Iranian Government has sought to ban Twitter,” Bill Stevens, Labour councillor for Devonport, said.
“This is another ridiculous example of the council not letting people use IT as it should be used in the modern world.
“We are always told we should keep in touch with our constituents.
“All good practice from councils upcountry is that use of social networking is encouraged.”
A council spokeswoman said: “Like many organisations we have not allowed access to Facebook, Youtube or Myspace for some time. Limiting access to social networking sites applies to any device that is on the council network including Blackberries.
“Plymouth City Council has approximately 12,000 staff and provides email and internet facilities to about 4,000 employees to enable them to do their jobs effectively and efficiently.
“We have clear guidelines on how they should use these facilities in order to protect security and to ensure that staff time is not spent on non work-related activities.
“We regularly review our policies against a backdrop of ever-changing technology and business demands. We use filtered internet access, block social networking sites and do not allow eBay access. We take any abuses extremely seriously.”
The spokeswoman said councillors could keep their constituents up-to-date through their own page, linked from their contact details on the council’s website.
Councillor Pengelly hit out at the fake profile using her name, she said: "I don't think this has any relevance to the city of Plymouth.
“I'm more interested in doing the right thing and leading the city in these difficult times."
She said she would try to have the page removed by Twitter.
A number of councillors use Twitter and Facebook, including Councillor Nicky Wildy.
Cllr Wildy, reacting on her Twitter feed, said: "Tweets continue!". She added: "...thinks Plymouth's Chief Executive Twitter ban may bring Plymouth CC into disrepute? Is this a matter to be investigated?"
Plymouth City Council has its own official Twitterfeed where it issues press releases and advertises jobs.
Barack Obama used Twitter during his presidential campaign to gather support and keep his supporters informed. Twitter is being used by people in Iran to inform the world of the ongoing unrest following the election while mainstream media has been blacked out.
The Herald has a Twitter page with close to 3,000 followers at www.twitter.com/plymouthherald
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