Angies Angle

A Series: Part 3 of 3: Navigating Freedom of Speech and Facebook’s Impact in Rural Montana Towns

By: Angie Mozqueda

Prevention Specialist

Where do you draw the line between Freedom of speech and Freedom to harm?

The distinction between freedom of speech, gossip, and truth often becomes obscured, creating a complex landscape for how residents view their neighbors, local law enforcement, and the information circulating within our community. This situation brings to light the ethical implications of rumor-mongering and the challenges it poses for our understanding of one another.

Recently, our local community pages have seen a troubling rise in the dissemination of hurtful stories and unverified rumors, which has generated a change of culture. Despite the potential harm these rumors can cause, many people continue to share narratives that cast their neighbors, law enforcement, or individuals from different backgrounds in a negative light. At the same time, there are calls for law enforcement and schools to provide immediate updates and transparency regarding local incidents.

Interestingly, some of these same community members have voiced feelings against law enforcement sharing real-time updates on arrests and crimes, including mugshots, as highlighted in a recent poll on Musselshell Media's Facebook page.

This raises an important question: if law enforcement were to offer factual information about local incidents, would there be resistance from residents who fear it might tarnish one’s reputation?

Ultimately, this situation prompts a vital discussion about how we balance the community's appetite for “Freedom of Speech” with the need for truth and transparency that fosters accountability and safety.

Many community members, as reflected in our discussions and online posts, truly cherish the values of honesty, support for local initiatives, and a strong sense of togetherness that characterize “the good ole days.”

Yet, this raises an intriguing question: why do we often criticize individuals who deviate from our moral expectations while simultaneously resisting the idea of law enforcement sharing factual information about local crime and offenders who deviate from following law and order?

The challenge we face is whether Smalltown will choose to prioritize truth over rumor or allow misinformation to continue to erode the very fabric of our community.

Consider a recent article by Lura Pitman, which shed light on a deeply troubling incident involving one of our deputies responding to an unresponsive infant. The heartbreaking circumstances of the abuse of a five-week-old baby resulted in a significant prison sentence for the defendant. This incident, which took place on December 3rd, 2023, serves as a sobering reminder of the realities we face in our community.

Imagine if the defendant were someone you knew, perhaps a neighbor you often see at the local IGA or Conoco. Wouldn't you want to be informed about such a serious and disturbing situation as soon as possible? Understanding these circumstances can empower us to be proactive in preventing similar tragedies in the future, making us more vigilant and supportive of victims, as well as mindful of the environments in which we allow our children to be.

For those who voted against law enforcement sharing information, I’d be interested to hear your perspective. What do you perceive as the benefits of remaining uninformed about crime in our community?

While I understand that concerns about reputations in a small town are valid, could it be possible that transparency might serve as a more effective deterrent in a close-knit community like ours than it might in larger areas? What if you were the person who made a mistake five years ago, only to find your face displayed on the MCSO Facebook page? What if you had turned your life around? Could you truly move forward from that challenging time with such information remaining readily accessible?

This brings us to an important question: Is it our responsibility as a community to turn a blind eye to the crimes against children, businesses, senior citizens, and our neighbors that occur every day?

In a close-knit community where everyone knows one another, it seems reasonable to believe that awareness of potential consequences might encourage individuals to rethink their actions. While some may view this perspective as overly harsh, it does reflect a genuine desire for positive change. We often find ourselves eager to share information and stay connected, yet we may hesitate to seek clear communication from our law enforcement.

Do we value someone else’s right to freedom of speech online even if it is essentially pulled out of thin air? Or do we want to raise the bar on our moral compass and views and start expecting facts and consequences? You decide.