Usually when people delete their social media accounts, it’s because they’ve become the target of media scrutiny and they really really don’t want an army of journalists to go picking through their online comments. The ‘delete’ button is a means of protection. Not always, but often.

In February, the ABC nixed the Twitter accounts of headline shows Insiders, ABC Politics, and News Breakfast.

At the time, publications such as the Australian pointed out that the ABC’s decision would make it more difficult for the public – the money that pays for the ABC – to engage with the broadcaster.

Or perhaps more accurately, it would become difficult for the...