social media

Municipal employees have free speech rights just like every other American citizen.  But unlike every other American citizen, many municipal employees also have the authority, under certain circumstances, to speak in an official capacity on behalf of the town or city they represent.  When a municipal official posts about job-related topics on social media, it is often difficult to tell whether the speech is official or private.  While the employee’s official speech is within the employing municipality’s control, the employee’s personal speech often is not.

The information contained in this article is not intended as legal advice and may no longer be accurate due to changes in the law. Consult NHMA's legal services or your municipal attorney.

Social media is one of the leading forms of communication in 2022, and there are many ways municipalities can leverage it to benefit residents. Whether you haven’t posted to your municipality’s page in a few years or are looking to improve your social media process that’s already in place, these tactics can help you make the best use of your social media accounts.