Opinion Piece: The Ethics of Public Officials Blocking Citizens
By: Pierce
Tensions have been rising recently over the debate over the constitutional reforms between pro-reform Senators Kari and Prim and the conservative/”moderate” bloc’s de facto leader former Senator Olde Delaware. Some of the debate has led to unpleasant exchanges between the three, which led the two Senators to block Olde Delaware on Discord. Some citizens have expressed concern over the idea of Senators being able to block citizens that they represent to the Senate, and leads one to question whether it is ethical for Senators to do so if the individual blocked has been repeatedly unpleasant to them.
As highlighted by the opinion piece by Punchwood, it is no secret that Olde Delaware has a tendency to be abrasive and temperamental when it comes to interactions of debate to the point of toxicity in the eyes of some. I cannot speak for Senators Kari and Prim on what the straw was that broke the camel’s back, but much of what has been discussed regarding Olde Delaware’s behavior reminds me of many of my interactions with Vac Mercer, a former Senator and Minister of Communications here in Europeia, and my former superior in another region. Though he is not nearly as awful as the comparison, it forces me to reflect on what I would do if faced with such constant toxicity and harassment (if the two Senators have felt that way).
There is an argument to be made, however, that it is unethical for public officials to block any citizen. Whether a citizen voted for or against the sitting Senators, the citizen should have the right to be able to contact their elected representatives through any available medium, and be able to see all public statements (whether on the forums or through Euro’s Discord server) made in order to be informed on their representative’s actions and statements. While there is no explicit statute that prevents Senators from blocking citizens, one could loosely argue that it undermines the citizens’ right “to freely express and disseminate their opinion in any manner or medium” (Charter of Rights, 2). If there are Senators that feel that a citizen is constantly harassing them per provision 20 of the Criminal Code, then they should file suit or refer the matter to the Ministry of Justice to use our under-utilized courts.
The good Senators who campaigned and were elected upon reform do represent reform, but as representatives of the citizens, they have the duty and burden to at least be able to listen to the concerns of all of their citizens. If at the point certain citizens no longer meaningfully add to the discussion, then they should either work the issue out with the individual, listen with thicker skin and move on, or if all else fails, consider legal action if applicable. For any public official to block a citizen who cares about the issues facing the region is an injustice to their office and to the principles of Europeia as a political region and open forum of ideas. I have high respect for Senator Prim and Senator Kari for their work in the Senate and their fierce advocacy for the reform that our Republic needs to survive; but to block a citizen before exhausting all other alternatives and shutting down a voice (who also cares for the region) that disagrees with them leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
“I don’t agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
-Evelyn Beatrice Hall
-Evelyn Beatrice Hall