By Chris Ashmore
DONEGAL County Council is set to scrap using the social media platform X (formerly twitter) which has been the subject of intense criticism in recent weeks due to the Grok chatbot that had a “nudification” feature that allowed users to digitally undress images of people, including children, without their consent.
The Council will now draw up an exit strategy from using X which is expected to be complete around the end of February.
The decision to pave the way for a curtailment of using X stems from a motion tabled by Councillor Michéal Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig at the January meeting of the local authority.
His motion called on the Council to delete all of its official accounts on X and to cease any future official use of the platform.
He also requested that the Council issue a public statement on the matter.
“X has become a platform where the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and adults is widely reported and insufficiently addressed,” he stated, adding: “As a public body with a duty of care, the Council should not maintain a presence on, or lend credibility to, a platform that fails to adequately protect users from such harm.”
He also stated “that the Council should instead use other communication channels that better align with its safeguarding responsibilities and public values.”
Cllr Declan Meehan, who seconded the motion, noted how harmful content can remain on line for extended periods, and also spoke about the misinformation and false information on X.
He felt that ceasing its use would “send a clear signal” and he pointed out that there are plenty of other platforms to get news out.
In an official response, Director of Finance, Corporate Services and Information Systems, Richard Gibson, began by stating that the Council has a responsibility to provide public information to the people of Donegal.
He pointed out that “often, to be most effective, this information is required in real time e.g. during a storm, road closures, or road gritting.”
The Council continually assesses the methods of communication it uses, including social media channels, to ensure it can meet its duty to provide public information in a timely, effective, and efficient manner to the widest possible audience.
He continued: “In recent times, the Council’s reliance on X has reduced significantly. Other effective communication methods are available and widely used (including local radio, newspapers, Facebook, and press releases on other online platforms, for example).”
Currently, Facebook is Donegal County Council’s most used social media platform, and has more than 13,000 followers. By contrast, it has about 800 X followers.
In addition to the Council’s main X account, several other X accounts exist to promote the work of individual Council sections. These include accounts relating to the Local Enterprise Office, libraries, and the County Museum.
He confirmed that If the motion was passed, an exit strategy would be required to allow time “to ensure that the Council can continue to communicate effectively with the public and service users”.
Meanwhile, Cllr Ali Farren noted that X was a “useful way of getting out information” and he expressed some reservations that they might be “throwing the baby out with the bath water”. While he understood it was a point of principle, he felt it X was an important tool for promoting the county, like on Love Donegal Day.
However, he did not table any counter motion, and Cllr Mac Giola Easbuig’s motion was passed.
