Best Practices & Tips for Communicating Electronically 2024
This program is an excerpt from the Public Records, Open Meetings Update 2024
Communication cautions
Most of us wouldn’t recognize a world without pervasive electronic communication. We use it to ask coworkers questions, talk with family members near and far, and keep up with friends. But communications from government officials, like social media posts, electronic chats, and emails, can sometimes run afoul of Wisconsin’s public records and open meeting laws.
Before you hit send on that message you’re typing, join a panel of public records, open meetings gurus for Best Practices & Tips for Communicating Electronically. They’ll offer guidance on:
- Starting points for your public records and open meetings analysis
- The unique transparency risks posed by collaborative software
- How electronic communications can amount to a “meeting” under the Showers test
- Records retention considerations for electronic communications
This program is an excerpt from the Public Records, Open Meetings Update 2024
Communication cautions
Most of us wouldn’t recognize a world without pervasive electronic communication. We use it to ask coworkers questions, talk with family members near and far, and keep up with friends. But communications from government officials, like social media posts, electronic chats, and emails, can sometimes run afoul of Wisconsin’s public records and open meeting laws.
Before you hit send on that message you’re typing, join a panel of public records, open meetings gurus for Best Practices & Tips for Communicating Electronically. They’ll offer guidance on:
- Starting points for your public records and open meetings analysis
- The unique transparency risks posed by collaborative software
- How electronic communications can amount to a “meeting” under the Showers test
- Records retention considerations for electronic communications
Social status
In March 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a new test for determining when a public official’s social media activity counts as state action under 42 U.S.C. §1983. The case involved a local government official who blocked citizens from his Facebook account due to critical comments, prompting First Amendment concerns. Explore the Court’s new criteria for determining a government official’s liability for blocking or deleting comments on social media.
Electronic communications aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. With help from Best Practices & Tips for Communicating Electronically, you can ensure that your communications comply with public records and open meetings laws.
Product details
- Discover best practices for electronic messaging during open meetings
- Determine whether public officials can be held liable for blocking critics on social media
- Understand how public records laws apply to collaborative software
- Analyze recent case law on public officials’ social media accounts and posts
- Discuss recommendations for locating and reviewing electronic communications
- Government lawyers
- Administrative lawyers
- Corporation counsel
- Civil rights and constitutional lawyers