Cayce News and Views, a social media site, is facing a harsh backlash from readers for its negativity and attacks against Cayce City Councilman Hunter Sox and the Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Sox, who represents Dist. 3, is running for reelection on Nov. 4.

The Facebook site describes itself as “a place to share your news or express your views about a matter affecting some or all neighborhoods in Cayce.” The page claims to be an outlet to “unite us, not divide us,” not polarizing, but respectfully, kindly, and courteously engaging.

But members of the page said the fairness, courteous, and unity claims are false. The site is accused of being polarizing, partisan and mean-spirited. Cayce City Councilman Hunter Sox has endured one-sided attacks on the page. He does not think the content on the page is fair. 

“The few posts I have been sent are very disgusting, divisive, and defamatory,” Sox said. He advised avoiding the page. “We cannot let echo chambers divide our city nor diminish daily life.”

Former Cayce Mayor Candidate Tre Bray said: “The News and Views Facebook group is not news.” He described it as a “one-sided megaphone” that demonizes dissenters with vile attacks and twisted facts. He also said the moderators have blocked him and countless others.

Bray said Sox has been a warrior for District 3, and he has improved the district “after decades of neglect.”

Page Member Wanda Kinsey Lorick posted: “It is extremely apparent that the Cayce SC News & Views page does not follow their own guidelines.  Bill Lorick (her husband) posted our Hunter Sox Cayce City Council signs that are in front of our home and business to this page and it was deleted in a matter of minutes….She also said “I have certainly witnessed some very negative things on that page”….and: “it’s only for those that share the administrator’s views.”

Page Members Anna-Claire Lester and Ian Steube said comments have been deleted because they do not conform to the administrator’s partisan dictates.

The page has not only attacked Hunter Sox, but those they brand as his “loyalists.” There are rants on the page calling Sox’s council votes despicable, along with bashing the votes of three other councilmen. The site has at times lambasted Council Members Tim James, Byron Thomas and Phil Carter.

At other times posts on the page denigrate the Town of Lexington and the City of West Columbia. There are also gender-centric comments that attempt to pit women against men.

Cayce News and Views has also targeted the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce, posting negative news articles insinuating the Chamber has not properly filed required spending records. 

When a report from TERC, the state review committee, exonerated the Chamber after a thorough investigation, a link to an article reporting the positive finding in the Chamber’s favor was quickly deleted, repeatedly, from the Cayce News and Views page. 

The Chamber’s exoneration did not escape the notice of Wanda Kinsey Lorick. She said: “I guess the Cayce SC News & Views needs to move on and find something & someone else to bash!!!!! This is fabulous news and I had no doubt in our Chamber members’ credibility.”

In addition to attacking political candidates and the Chamber, copyrighted content and photos have been used on the page without permission, which is not only unethical, but not legal. Facebook, or Meta, has investigated and confirmed it has removed at least one post from the page after a Copyright infringement complaint.