ISHPEMING, MI— The City of Ishpeming says it will no longer broadcast its meetings on YouTube or local access channel 189.
Officials say the decision is due to an upsurge in “unfortunate rhetoric,” as well as the use of the footage and audio from the meetings for inflammatory purposes in online groups. Instances of property damage, threats, and harassment of staff, elected officials, and candidates have sparked an investigation by the Ishpeming Police Department. As a result, some anonymous online activity in question has been traced to a suspect who currently resides outside of city limits.
Minutes, agendas, and meeting materials will still be published online, and the city will continue to welcome the public at its council meetings. Residents who wish to express an opinion, concern, or share information may continue to do so under public comment.
In a Facebook post, officials say, “The city encourages residents to continue using their first amendment rights to express their opinions, no matter what they may be. However, as an organization it has become clear that the broadcasting of public meetings, a choice the city had made during the pandemic and continued voluntarily, is no longer necessary or productive in meeting the city’s goals.”
