The State Comptroller will examine the functioning of the various government ministries • The examination will also determine if there is an infringement of freedom of expression • As part of the audit process questionnaires will be distributed to citizens and social network operators on public pages

• Photo: AFP

The State Comptroller will apply the Office's audit of the social networks of public entities. For the first time, State Comptroller Mattiahu Engelman will review the use that public bodies make on social networks, including handling citizen inquiries and accessing reliable public information.

The test will also determine if there is a violation of the public's freedom of expression through user blocking and deletion of comments that criticize the conduct of the public body and the head.

"Social networks serve as a kind of 'town square', where the public is allowed to voice and criticize the public body and the head," explains Engelman. "It is the duty of every public body to have a transparent and fair discussion in the social networking space, and citizens' freedom of expression should not be compromised by blocking users and deleting criticism."

Photo: Knesset channel

The audit will focus on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram networks, and the Comptroller's Office explains that Engelman sees the importance of adapting the audit to technological change, focusing the audit work on material issues "in the public eye", ensuring freedom of expression and maintaining appropriate and respectful public discourse.

The test will include browsing Facebook pages and other new media channels as well as distributing questionnaires to citizens and social network operators on public pages. Audit teams will look at how public agencies use social networks, including accessing credible information to the public and responding to citizens' inquiries, including examining the interface between the public affairs commissioner and the Facebook page operator and other body media channels.

The Injury Examination

Auditor Engelman will also examine whether public bodies are aware of the dangers and harms that may result from the use of social networks. These include, for example, violation of individual rights or unlawful use of public resources.

In doing so, the auditor will examine whether there is an infringement of the public's freedom of expression by blocking users and deleting comments that criticize the conduct of the public body and its head, and whether the necessary measures are taken to prevent such violation.

State Comptroller Matthew Netman // Photo: Oren Ben Hakun

The basis for expanding the criticism of the Social Network's Office of Auditors is in complaints from citizens received by the Commission in recent years that public bodies and heads of bodies are erasing comments and blocking users from their pages on social networks.

In accordance with the State Comptroller's 2017 directives, the basic rules of public law also apply to public entities that use social networks, including the constitutional right of the public to audit the work of the public body.