There are substantial public benefits when public employees who know public health use their expertise to provide accurate information to the public on health matters and correct misconceptions. But what if their employer is worried about retaliation or harm to it from such efforts?
An employee in a public institution spends part of his time commenting on public health issues and informing the public through a personal blog, on which his position is mentioned. The employee provides information, corrects misconceptions, and criticizes those offering bad advice or factually inaccurate information, sometimes with strong language. A person so criticized contacts the public institution and threatens to sue for defamation if the blogging does not stop and the statements are not retracted, or if the employee is not otherwise dealt with. Should the employer act?
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