Florida’s wildlife watchdog agency is being accused of muzzling its critics online, with activists and residents accusing it of quietly scrubbing negative comments and blocking users from its social media accounts in a possible First Amendment violation.

Instagram and Facebook users say their comments have disappeared from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ( FWC ) posts.

Some say FWC Chair Rodney Barreto , a Miami developer and political insider who’s faced criticism for alleged ethical issues and mismanagement of past agency controversies , blocked them online before taking his Instagram account private .

They also complain that many of the comments were removed even though they complied with FWC’s official code of commenter conduct, which frequently accom

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