Public Relations Firm Hired By Key Biscayne Amid Scandal, Issues Media Silence Policy

In disaster, Key Biscayne hired a public relations firm, a policy that prohibits media communication, prompted the question of transparency and First Amendment rights.

As part of dealing with the ongoing scandal about a gymnastics coach accused of sexual assault, the Village of Key Biscayne turned to Roar Media-public relations firm, who would serve to salvage its public image. Over $16,800 dollars were spent by the village on the services for five months and an additional $120,000 contract on an annual basis later signed for continued work.

Roar Media recommended the village establish a central communication channel and appoint a spokesperson for media inquiries. Subsequently, Village Manager Steve Williamson enforced a no-media-contact policy for municipal employees, raising concerns about potential violations of their First Amendment rights, as it bypassed council approval.

As the services of this public relations firm helped the village to recover from the mess, its residents and council members rang alarm bells about the new media constraints imposed on them, questioning how this would affect their transparency and free speech.