CNN has just quoted three diplomatic sources as saying that U.S. diplomats abroad have been told to suspend all social media posts in light of the mob attack on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
CNN said that this measure is usually only taken in the event of terrorist attacks and major natural disasters.
The Undersecretary of State for Public Foreign Affairs and Public Affairs sent a notice to U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, asking them to “suspend planned content posted on social media accounts” and remove planned content on Facebook, Hootsuite and Twitter until further notice.
Sources also revealed to CNN that the posting plan of the U.S. State Department account has also been suspended.
A letter to staff also said that the shutdown plan was carried out under the direction of Secretary of State Pompeo’s office and should be implemented in all (diplomatic) departments.
Department leaders usually order to stop social media updates when a terrorist attack or earthquake occurs, the report said, because they do not want the U.S. mission to publish off-topic topics.
A diplomat also said that despite this directive, Pompeo himself was “obviously silent” when the mob besieged Capitol Hill.
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