🔴 LIVE: Hearing on the Mamdani Administration’s Civic Engagement Efforts

The New York City Council held a hearing on September 23, 2026, focused on the Mamdani Administration's civic engagement efforts, with particular attention to the use of social media influencers in government communications. The discussion centered on transparency, disclosure, and record retention policies related to influencer partnerships and the use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal by city agencies. The Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) testified about existing policies that treat instant messages as transitory unless deemed substantive, requiring transfer to permanent records. The Campaign Finance Board (CFB) described its influencer engagement for voter outreach, emphasizing nonpartisanship and existing disclosure rules, while expressing concerns about proposed legislation that could complicate enforcement. Testimonies from influencers, journalists, and experts highlighted the need for clearer disclosure standards and oversight of government-funded influencer content. Several council members raised questions about procurement processes, budget allocations, and compliance with recordkeeping laws. The hearing underscored gaps in transparency and the need for updated policies to ensure public trust and proper oversight of government communications involving influencers.