Another blogging TriMet bus driver is in trouble. Last week, Dan Christensen, author of the popular TriMet Confidential blog, posted a picture of a bicyclist on his blog with the headline Portland! Kill this bicyclist. According to The Oregonian, TriMet has placed Christensen on administrative leave and forwarded the matter to the district attorney. TriMet employees are allowed to host blogs as long as they make it clear that they are not speaking for the agency. “This is a free speech right that we support,” said TriMet spokeswoman Mary Fetsch. “But you can’t cross the line.” She said that TriMet’s social media policy is still evolving to address new situations: “We’ve had to create the policy as things like this have emerged.” Christensen said he was merely venting his frustration after he nearly hit the cyclist and has removed the offending post. In an update, he acknowledged going too far but said his intention was to reach out to the cyclist: “When I said “Portland Kill this Cyclist” What I really wanted is someone in Portland reach this guy! Let him know. Help him! do what ever you can!” Link to full story in The Oregonian. Link to update from The Oregonian.
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