Liberal candidate in the upcoming Mayo by-election Georgina Downer says trolls have forced her to close her Twitter account.
Ms Downer says she is not trying to stifle debate after a number of users reported having their Twitter accounts blocked and Facebook comments deleted by Ms Downer when they asked her questions online.
According to the national broadcaster, Ms Downer has said:
“I am no longer active on Twitter because quite frankly Twitter is not the best place where we as political candidates find it’s best to engage with our communities.
“I use Facebook as my medium for engagement with people in Mayo.
“Where there are comments that are unacceptable or trolls… then we don’t think they are fruitful for political debates and commentary.
“I would not seek to shut down those debates in the public sphere.
“On my Facebook page, we have protocols in place that encourage polite debate and frank debate.
“Where those limits are exceeded and language that is unacceptable… and goes to insults… there’s no place for it on our particular Facebook page.”
Latest polling in Mayo shows Ms Downer trailing sitting member Rebekah Sharkie 58-42 per cent.
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