Truth in Governance for Elected Officials
Purpose:
This policy is intended to establish a framework ensuring that elected officials communicate with the public in a manner that is truthful, transparent, and free from deceit. It aims to reinforce trust in democratic institutions by holding elected officials accountable for their public communications.
Scope:
This policy applies to all elected officials at any level of government, including but not limited to federal, state, and local government positions, from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
Policy Statement:
Elected officials are prohibited from making statements or disseminating information that is knowingly false, misleading, or intended to deceive the public. This includes all forms of communication, whether through speeches, interviews, official documents, social media, or other public platforms.
Key Provisions:
-
Veracity in Public Statements:
- All public communications must be based on factual information or clearly labeled opinions or projections.
- Elected officials must not present information in a manner that could reasonably be construed as misleading or deceptive.
-
Transparency and Disclosure:
- Officials must disclose any potential conflicts of interest or affiliations that could influence their public statements.
- Information must be presented in a manner that the public can reasonably understand, avoiding obfuscation or the use of overly technical language to mislead.
-
Public Correction Mechanism:
- If an elected official disseminates false information, they are required to issue a public correction promptly after the misinformation is identified.
-
Whistleblower Protections:
- Individuals who report violations of this policy will be protected from retaliation under enhanced whistleblower protection laws.
-
Public Reporting Channel:
- A dedicated channel for the public to report suspected breaches of this policy will be maintained, ensuring citizens have a direct means to challenge misinformation by elected officials.