SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY DEFINITIONS
Posting: Any writing, image, video, download, audio file and hyperlink to other websites, or media which is downloaded, referenced, inserted or placed upon any City social media site.
Social media or site: Includes, but is not limited to, electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, photographs, videos and other content. Examples of the types of social networking sites covered by this policy include, but are not limited to: blogs, LinkedIn, Facebook., Google+, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, YikYak, photo and video sharing sites, micro-blogging, podcasts, wikis, news sites, as well as viewable comments posted on internet sites. This policy is not meant to address only certain forms of social media, but rather social media in general as advances in technology will occur and new tools will emerge that are also expected to be used in accordance with this policy.
All City employees are expected to use City computers, tablets, mobile phones, computer applications and programs, internet resources and network communications in a responsible, professional, ethical and lawful manner. This includes use of all social media utilizing these devices. Employees should be aware that all content, including social media, on these devices is not private and the City could access any information 16 saved to, accessed by, created on, transmitted on, downloaded to, exchanged over or discussed on these devices, including social media, at any time. Consequently, employees have no reasonable expectation of privacy when engaging in these activities and employees should use common sense in all communications, particularly on a website or social networking site accessible to anyone.
In addition, employees are expected to follow all other City policies with regard to their use of social media. Any employee who violates this policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge.
PROCEDURES
The procedures for using social media are presented in two categories: (1) City- sponsored sites used to provide citizens with official, accurate and unbiased information, and (2) procedures governing employees’ conduct while on social media sites.
City-Sponsored Sites: The City’s social media are limited public forums. The sites are not an editorial page or blog for visitors, and they are subject to the commenting restrictions listed below in this policy. The City does not intend by its social media sites to create or allow the creation of an unlimited public forum for the public to post comments of any kind.
The establishment and use by any City department of City social media sites are subject to approval by the City Administrator. At the time such a site is approved, the City Administrator must determine who will be responsible for developing this site, including establishing an administrative profile, designating who will have authority for speaking on behalf of the City, and who will keep the site up to date, including answering questions in a timely manner.
City social media accounts will only become affiliated with (i.e., “like,” “follow,” etc.) another social media page if it is related to official City business, services and events. The City Administrator shall have the final determination if another social media page is related to official City business, services and events.
Wherever possible, City social media sites should link back to the official City website for forms, documents, online services and other information necessary to conduct business with the City.
The City Administrator or their designee will monitor the City’s social media accounts to ensure that the social media sites further the City’s policies, interests and goals. Comments containing any of the following inappropriate forms of content will not be allowed on the City’s social media sites and are subject to removal by the City: • Comments unrelated to the original topic.
- Comments that are obscene, vulgar or profane.
- Content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination of any protected class under local, state or federal law (see Chapter 5).
- Defamatory or personal attacks.
- Threats to any person or organization.
- Comments in support of, or in opposition to, any political campaigns or ballot measures.
- Solicitation of commerce, including, but not limited to, advertising of any business or product for sale.
- Conduct in violation of any federal, state or local law.
- Encouragement of illegal activity.
- Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems.
- Content that violates a legal ownership interest, such as a copyright.
- Comments that are threatening in nature will be forwarded as appropriate to law enforcement.
The City reserves the right to restrict or remove any content that is deemed in violation of City policy, including this policy, or applicable law. Any content removed based on these guidelines must be retained by the City Administrator or their designee for a minimum of ninety (90) days, including the time, date and identity of the poster, when available.
Comments posted by the public on the City’s social media site express the opinions of the commentators or posters. Such comments do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the City, and the publication of such comments does not imply endorsement or agreement by the City.
The City is not responsible for and has no control over the accuracy, subject matter, content, information or graphics when viewing links attached to its social media sites.
The City also does not endorse any organizations sponsoring linked websites or the views or products they offer. The City is not liable for the content of postings by individuals employed by the City or third parties not affiliated with the City on any City social media sites.
The City reserves the right to deny access to its social media sites for any individual who violates the City’s policies or the law, at any time and without prior notice. The City reserves the right to restrict or remove any content that is deemed in violation of this policy or any applicable local, state or federal law.
The City’s website at www.cityofglenwood.org will remain the City’s primary and predominant internet presence.