[roxgib]

It seems like platforms could solve this by making it possible for users to see the content of accounts run by government officials even when blocked, but merely prevent them from otherwise interacting with them.

[markdown]

For Twitter, a simpler solution would be to just disable the block button for govt accounts. They can use the mute function to ignore trolls.

[amadeuspagel]

When you mute people, they can still reply to your tweets and other people can still see those replies.

[ImPostingOnHN]

that is the idea, yes

the official can decide to cover their eyes, but not everyone else's eyes

[rcme]

Not sure I agree. Citizens have a right to see the public information posted by their elected officials. But that doesn't mean the elected officials have to provide a billboard for all of their constituents.

Let's say an elected official hung constituent letters outside their office. Would they be obligated to hang every letter received, or could they curate the letters in some way?

[markdown]

What you're suggesting is that the govt should be allowed to only let sycophants post praise, while blocking any criticism or unwelcome comment. Ridiculous.

Every announcement is made in a public square, and once said, every citizen has the right to also shout in that square. The government official is free to cover his ears.

[ImPostingOnHN]

it's not their billboard, they're posting on someone else's billboard

it's not their office, they're posting on someone else's office

the town square, if there is to be an electronic analogy, doesn't belong to them, and if there isn't, belongs to the website

[FollowingTheDao]

I would say a mute is as good as a block.