Moves to rein in political web spats by Thanet council

COUNCILLORS writing online diaries – dubbed blogs – could soon fall foul of tighter restrictions following a flurry of complaints.

Thanet council’s standards committee will consider a draft protocol on blog websites following accusations of breaches of conduct on the internet.

Many councillors use their web diaries to discuss problems facing the isle and its politics.

Richard Samuel, chief executive of the district council, said that most new complaints about councillors’ conduct were based on articles posted by members on their blog websites.

If Thanet council does introduce new rules on blogging it would be the first authority in the country to do so.

Online writer Cllr Simon Moores is working with Mr Samuel to devise a protocol ahead of it being scrutinised by the committee on September 8.

The Conservative representative for Westgate said: “It’s about having a protocol that ensures that members treat each other with respect. It’s all very well having a bit of tongue-in-cheek humour but we need to ensure it doesn’t go into the realms of inappropriate behaviour.

“When you are a representative of the people and running your own blog you are responsible for everything that appears on it, and you need to ensure that anything potentially damaging does not appear – and that includes comments posted by readers. I think from the council’s point of view we would prefer that councillors act in a mature and grown up way.”

Blogger and Labour councillor Mark Nottingham criticised the move, saying it curtailed freedom of expression. He called for the document to be published as early as possible so that people can comment on it. He said: “We have enough laws, such as libel, already and current regulations are sufficient.”