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1 MCDUFFIE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED: September 17, 2024 TOPIC: Social Media Policy Revision 1 POLICY SECTION: POLICY McDuffie (“county") uses social media to provide accurate, consistent, and timely information about county functions, services, and activities to the public; and to strengthen the county's relationship with the community through engagement. This policy addresses the use of social media as: 1) a platform for County news and information, and 2) a personal tool used by employees for non-work-related purposes. Social Media Access and Branding (Official County Platforms) An Official County Social Media Platform is an account with a social media provider such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., intended for the sharing of information. The creation of an official McDuffie County presence on social media, as well as the use, standards, and procedures for posting and editing, are the purview of the County Manager’s Department. Editing official social media platforms is permitted only for authorized personnel. The authorizing authority is determined by the County Manager’s Department or personnel permitted by the County Manager. It is the responsibility of the authorized user to monitor official county social networking sites to ensure they show current and accurate information. Personnel who administer official County social media accounts will use a valid county email address for sign-up and other administrative purposes. Additionally, at least two people will have access and administrative capabilities on each media platform, including the Department Head and the Director of IT. Personnel may not create a personal account that they represent as an official County account. County social media platforms shall use the official county logo for branding. For example, on Facebook, all county Facebook accounts should be under a Page, not an individual Profile or Group. The circle icon should have the approved department county logo and the background picture should be professional, current, and department related. County social networking sites will be controlled by a secure username and password, if possible, in accordance with the County’s official Password Policy (depending on platform). No County employee ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 will create or operate an “alternative” site purporting to be the official County social media platform. No confidential or sensitive information may be released through social media platforms. Social Media Profiles (Registering a New Page) McDuffie County will only utilize Facebook Page, in addition to a website, for social media presence. All agency social media pages shall be: approved by the County Manager’s Office or designee published using an approved social networking platform and tools administered by the County Manager’s Office or designee What to Post Official social media content needs to be clear and precise and follow industry best practices for posting updates. All content posted to agency social media profiles should be: Each account will be logged with the County Manager’s Office to ensure the efficacy of each platform. What Not to Post Employees may not publish content on agency social media sites that includes: Confidential information Copyrighted material without permission Vulgar, profane, abusive, threatening, defamatory, or harassing language or content. Partisan political views Commercial endorsements or spam Any content that would be banned under the section below titled “Content Moderation” Social Media Profiles (Deregistering an Existing Page) If a social media profile is no longer of use: • notify the County Manager’s Office • ensure records have been archived according to agency guidelines • unpublish and delete the account Social Media Access (Business or Personal Use) Relevant Information that engages residents and the community and meets the needs of their daily living. Timely Information that is available when needed relating to deadlines, upcoming events, or current news. Actionable Information that prompts residents to take action or understand county needs. ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 In general, the use of social media in a county office environment is discouraged because it is not typically, a part of business software solutions. Social media access through the Internet is available until the County Manager’s Office determines that it is not beneficial to the County, at which time it may be curtailed or removed. If permitted by the County Manager’s Office, the necessity for employees to have social media access for business use (to conduct research, monitor media, etc.) is subject to the discretion of their department heads. If employees opt to use social media platforms using their personal resources, the following provisions shall apply: Employees should only use personal email addresses and associated credentials in order to access personal social media accounts. It is inappropriate to use a County-issued email address for a personal social media account. Employee’s personal use of the County’s computers, or other communications equipment (such as workstations, phones, laptops, or network infrastructure Employees shall not engage in social media activity that ma) to access social media must be miny harm or tarnish the image, reputation, and/or goodwill of McDuffie County and/or any of its employees. Employees are prohibited from making discriminatory, disparaging, defamatory or harassing comments when blogging or otherwise engaging in online activities. As a representative of the County this applies to personal social media platforms as well. Employees may not attribute personal statements, opinions or beliefs to McDuffie County when engaged in social media activity. If an employee is expressing his or her personal beliefs and/or opinions online, the employee may not, expressly or implicitly, represent themselves as an employee or representative of McDuffie County. Employees assume any and all risk associated with their online activities. Excessive use of social media on personal devices during business hours may be detrimental to productivity and department head must proactively establish expectations for social media use with their employees. Public Engagement The county reserves the right to reject or remove comments determined to be incompatible with the purpose of the county's official social media presence. The county will not reject or remove comments based upon the views expressed and will not edit individuals' comments. Examples of comments that may be rejected or removed: Comments not topically related to the county's page or the county's original post; Comments regarding political matters not directly related to the county's page or county's original post; Vulgar, profane, abusive, threatening, defamatory, or harassing language or content; Offensive terms targeting individuals or groups; Misleading or deceptive information; ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, sex, marital status, public assistance status, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation; Sexual content; Suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity; Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the county, public systems, individuals, or public at large; Promotion or endorsement of commercial services, products, or entities; Content that violates trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights or legal ownership interest of another party; and Content classified as not public under Georgia law or other state or federal privacy law or regulation. Advertisement The county does not authorize, promote, or endorse any advertisements that may appear on any county social media. Policy Enforcement and Compliance Compliance with Local Records Law: The County's social media sites are subject to the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70(b); therefore content shall be managed in accordance with these laws. Violations of this Social Media Policy, including postings, comments or activities involving social media made on personal time that violate this Policy may subject employees to disciplinary action up to and including termination from employment with McDuffie County.