On Free Speech and Information Security
Dear ecumenical colleagues –
We live in a time when information is being consolidated onto fewer and fewer platforms owned by a small group of very wealthy and influential people. Many of us have come to rely on these platforms to distribute news about our churches and groups—live stream worship services and other events, invite people to activities, post articles, share photos, recruit volunteers, and otherwise promote good work.
It has been a concern that it is easy for one, a few people, or an algorithm to decide that an organization or person’s presence online should be shut down, with little or no recourse. This has just recently happened to a publication we are familiar with.
The Presbyterian Outlook’s Instagram account was recently permanently suspended. They are a parachurch organization, an independent, multimedia publisher serving the Presbyterian Church (USA), with a print magazine (11 issues a year), website, email newsletters, and additional digital content. As they were uploading content from a Civil Rights issue, their Instagram account was permanently suspended by Meta; an appeal was reviewed and denied within 10 minutes. You can read their editorial about this here.
Like others, the WCC has been watching the evolution of media and communications tools and evaluating what platforms make the most sense for us. We also seek to make helpful recommendations for our members. Here’s what we’re thinking.
It is wise to diversify your platforms and not rely on only one or two owned by the same company to get information out. Choose where you will post.
It is also wise to maintain ways of connecting your community that are not internet-based. Do you still have a phone tree? Can you build or rebuild one? Do key people have access to an updated print directory so you can reach the members of your community if internet access is limited?
Memorizing important information is once again an important skill. We have been relying on our electronic brains for a while. Do you have critical phone numbers, addresses, and routes committed to memory? Should access to digital platforms or apps be interrupted, these are vital resources.
Consider the security of your conversations and information. It is unfortunate that the information we have in our possession as leaders and caring communities can put vulnerable people at risk. Is there information it is better not to write down? Should certain communications take place over more secure messaging platforms or in person? Taking such questions seriously is a way of honoring our promises to one another.
In addition to inviting your own reflections for your households and ministry settings, we encourage you to join the WCC’s conversations where we are. We continue to post on our website. We are on the Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram, at least for the time being. We are on Bluesky. You can find us by phone, email, and in physical space at our offices (although we encourage appointments since we are often out and about).
We also have a new invitation: if you are familiar with the Instant Messaging platform Discord, we’re looking for some pilot users to help us create a strong and lively WCC community on our new Discord server. If you are comfortable with Discord (or willing to learn!) please let us know so we can send you an invitation to this pilot project.
Click here to volunteer for our Discord pilot project!
We share all these not to spread alarm, but because we believe in sharing holy truths, in being aware, and being prepared. Council staff is prepared to give you the best recommendations we have in a changing ministry context. Please be in touch if you have questions or curiosities!
Peace and blessings,
Rev. Kerri Parker
Executive Director
For the WCC Staff
