Local authorities in Britain are spending eye-watering sums on social media monitoring, with a staggering £1.3 million splashed out on tracking Twitter mentions alone. This hefty expenditure, equivalent to the salaries of 60 newly qualified teachers, is raising eyebrows as councils face increasing financial pressures.
In a study of 435 local councils, it was found that 17 had spent over £10,000 each on social media tools in the past three years. The biggest spender was Leeds City Council, which shelled out more than £150,000 on software to monitor mentions across various platforms.
Critics argue that this is a misuse of taxpayer money, especially given the current austerity measures. Yet, councils defend their spending, stating that social media monitoring is crucial for understanding public opinion and responding to concerns. They argue that it’s an essential tool for improving services, despite the significant cost.
Meanwhile, the TaxPayers’ Alliance is calling for greater transparency in council spending. They believe that local authorities should be held accountable for their expenditure and that the public has a right to know how their money is being used.
In the face of mounting criticism, it remains to be seen whether councils will continue to invest such large sums in social media monitoring, or if a more cost-effective approach can be found.
Go to source article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3207383/Town-halls-blow-1-3million-checking-Twitter-Local-authorities-Britain-spent-staggering-sums-monitoring-media-mentions-themselves.html