If two Brentwood City Councilmembers get their way, it could change the way the City of Brentwood works with media and impact the release of information to the public. Or, even how events get announced.
In a carefully crafted future agenda item request, essentially a form of cancel culture, Councilmembers Jovita Mendoza and Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer seek to address how the city gives out press releases and who the city advertises with–this would also including those who utilize social media. They are also wanting a code of ethics included.
They are making the request using a Grand Jury Report out of San Joaquin County as justification in response to how the 209 Times reports the news.
“There was a grand jury investigation in Stockton and it was something we might need to look at someday, it was about the dysfunction and I think we do have some slight dysfunction but I feel that some of our dysfunction is caused by social media platforms that choose to divide the city,” explained Mendoza. “I’ve seen it in Antioch, I have seen it in Stockton, I see some of it in Oakley.”
She referred to a grand jury report in San Joaquin County that stated external individual using social media have consistently attempted to undermine democratic process by misleading the Stockton electorate while attempting to effect election results through unethical influences.
“In Stockton, they are going to have to look at ways they deal with the media and social media,” stated Mendoza who noted a Code of Ethics. “I would like to discuss in a future agenda item, what media outlets do we give press releases to? What media outlets are we spending money with? And if we are choosing to spend money and share information, then they should be held to the society of professional journalism code of ethics as well. I would like to bring that forward so we can have a code of ethics because I don’t think we can be supporting via a relationship, via advertising dollars with any media outlet who’s choosing to divide the city which I have seen and I have seen recently, I am just not going to stand for it.”
Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer was quick to second the item.
“I read the article that councilmember Mendoza is talking about and I do think its absolutely justifiable for us as a city to require that any media platforms that we work with follow those guidelines and are willing to state publicly that they do, and they publicly do follow those guidelines” said Meyer. “I think its important that if we are spending our money as mentioned sending press releases and other information that we follow the ethics that are outlined by that as well.”
No other councilmembers offered commentary and its unclear when the item may return for discussion.
Editors Notes: Retaliation Much?
While no local media publications were named Tuesday, its obvious this publication is the target given the city is currently advertising on this website, posts press releases and the police department shows great transparency in the release of information quickly upon request.
This future agenda item request is similar to how Mendoza has treated Brentwood on Ice, the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Brentwood Coalition, Harry’s Tavern, Boondoggies and other businesses in the city where if you don’t agree with her, there is an attempt of cancel culture in the form of policy creation or funding restrictions are introduced to combat you—in this case, a future agenda item to address how the city works with media or social media platforms.
Pot, meet kettle. The irony here is Mendoza has utilized social media groups to divide the city and push agenda/policies most do not even want or aware is happening. Meanwhile, this is the same lady who touts she wants public input but the minute you disagree with her, you are deemed “dumb”, “just a kid” and simply attacks you. Or, if you carry a gun because you are a retired police officer, she claims she is scared of you until she is not. If you are staff, and she doesn’t get the answer she desires, she attacks. Last fall, Mendoza’s actions prompted the Director of Community Development, Alexis Morris, to issue a 3-page response to the Brentwood city council
Its very hypocritical to state one thing, yet continue to do another.
What is in the Grand Jury Report on Stockton?
The 16-page report highlights several issues going on in the city of Stockton and the use of Social Media Platforms that are impacting the city.
According to the Conclusion:
The efficient and ethical governing of the City of Stockton is under attack by both external and internal forces. This must be stopped. Externally, individuals utilizing a SMP have consistently attempted to undermine the local democratic process by misleading the Stockton electorate and attempting to affect election results through unethical influence.
Internally, members of the Stockton City Council, who support the efforts of that SMP, are complicit in the deterioration of comradery, trust, respect, and ethical governing in Stockton. The continued violations of the tenets of the Brown Act by council members undermine the provision of good government to the citizens of Stockon.
The Grand Jury strongly supports the Freedom of Speech Rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution. However, the abuse of those rights by individuals utilizing this Social Media Platform to spread misinformation and create a threatening work environment for City staff and elected officials is unacceptable and must be stopped.
Related Stories on the Grand Jury Report
- 2023-2024 San Joaquin Civil Grand Jury Releases Report on the Stockton City Council
- Grand jury report says Stockton city government under attack by social media site 209 Times
- Grand jury: 209 Times ‘affected every level’ of Stockton government with continued harassment
- Grand jury report says Stockton City Council violates Brown Act, allows threatening work environment
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