The city of Minneapolis is all set to pay out social media influencers to spread messages during Derek Chauvin’s trial.
According to media reports, the city-approved messages will target the minority communities. Moreover, state authorities revealed the decision where 6 social media influencers will receive money during the upcoming Derek Chauvin murder trial. The ex-cop is currently in prison and is accused of murdering George Floyd by kneeling down on his neck.
The respective council voted unanimously on Friday as a motion to approve the mega $1 million communications as well as de-escalation plan which involves partnering alongside other community leaders, media houses, as well as social media influencers during the trial that is set to begin in March.
The influencers will again promote the state’s messages in August during the trial of 3 other ex-officers that are charged for Floyd’s death.
While the social media influencers’ contracts are yet to be finalized, reports confirm how they will each receive $2000 for sharing city-generated and state-proven messages.
Moreover, local media outlets confirmed how the messages will target certain communities such as the Blacks, Somali, Native Americans, Latinas, and Hmong communities.
Currently, local activists seem to be criticizing the move while arguing about how the city might be moving towards buying the real narrative of the trial. In the same way, some believe this move hints at stamping out free speech as well as protests while turning influencers into the city’s mouthpieces.
However, the city of Minneapolis blatantly denied all of those rumors. According to them, the ultimate goal revolves around increasing access to information for communities that don’t usually follow the mainstream news or even any City communications channels.
It will also work at assisting all of those who don’t understand news in English, mentioned the official statement.
As far as using social media influencers is concerned, the city’s program claims that these individuals are important community members who can be trusted as messengers having a great social media presence to share all of the city’s approved messages.