Document Text
--- Document: Social Media Policy Document ---
BOROUGH OF ESSEX FELLS
RESOLUTION
2014-43
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY FOR THE
BOROUGH OF ESSEX FELLS
WHEREAS, the use of social media by the Borough will further the goals
and missions of the Borough; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to provide guidelines as to the use of social
media in order to protect the Borough and to appropriately control the dissemination
of official information through social media.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Essex Fells, in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, that the following policy
entitled "Social Media Policy," shall be implemented within the Borough of Essex Fells:
1. Purpose
Social Media Policy
To address the use of Social Media communications the Borough of Essex Fells
(hereinafter "Borough") utilizes to provide information online; and
To encourage the use of Social Media to further the goals of the Borough and the
missions of its departments and affiliated boards, commissions and authorities.
II. Policy
Because the Borough Administration has an overriding interest and expectation in
deciding who may "speak" and what is "spoken" on behalf of the Borough on social
media sites, this policy is established for the use of all social media.
1.
The official public webmaster for the Borough shall be designated by the
Borough Administrator and shall recommend to the Borough for approval social media
technologies that may be suitable for use by Borough departments, affiliated boards,
commissions and authorities.
2.
The Borough shall have a single presence on social media sites deemed
appropriate for use. Requests for individual departmental or agency pages or sites must
be approved by the Borough Administration.
3.
All official Borough presence on social media sites or services are considered an
extension of the Borough's information networks and are governed by all policies
applicable to the use of Borough computers and electronic media (if applicable) as well
as the Borough Internet Access and Use Guidelines (if applicable).
4.
Departments that use social media are responsible for complying with applicable
federal, state, and county laws, regulations, and policies. This includes adherence to
established laws and policies regarding copyright, records retention, Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA), Open Public Records Act (OPRA), First Amendment, privacy
laws, sunshine laws and information security policies (if applicable) established by the
Borough, its departments, affiliated boards, commissions and authorities.
5.
Wherever possible, links to more information should direct users back to the
Borough's official website for more information, forms, documents or online services
necessary to conduct business with the Borough.
6. Employees representing Borough government on social media outlets must
identify themselves by name, and when relevant, by role at the Borough. All Borough
policies are applicable to interactions on social media sites when acting in an official
capacity and representing the Borough.
7.
The official Borough webmaster shall monitor content on all social media sites to
ensure adherence to the Social Media Policy for appropriate use, message, and
branding consistent with the goals of the Borough.
8.
The Borough webmaster may have the authority to remove any information that
violates this Social Media Policy or Terms of Service (TOS) at any time from any
Borough social media site in accordance with archiving and retention requirements.
See section III, Prohibited Content. Once removed, an email will be sent to the Borough
Clerk's office for notification.
III. Prohibited Content
The following is prohibited and subject to removal:
a. Comments not topically related to the particular post being commented upon
b. Comments that promote, foster, or perpetuate discrimination on the basis of
creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public
assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation
c. Comments that include vulgar, offensive, threatening or harassing language,
personal attacks or unsupported accusations
d. Obscene or sexual contents or links to obscene or sexual content;
e. Illegal activity or encouragement of illegal activity
f. Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public
or public systems
g. Comments from children under 13 cannot be posted in order to comply with
the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. By posting on a Borough social
media site, users acknowledge that they are at least 13 years old
h. Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party
i. Content or comments that promote a private business interest or service
IV. Applicability
This policy shall apply to all Borough agencies and departments as well as any affiliated
government or non-government agency or official permitted by the Borough to post on
Borough social media sites.
Adopted: February 4, 2014
Edward P. Abbot, Mayor
Attest: 26:28
Francine T. Paserchia, Borough Clerk
RECORDED VOTE
Ayes
Nays
Absent
Councilman KING
X
Councilman KOECHLING
X
Councilwoman McWILLIAMS
X
Councilman PECK
II
X
Councilman SULLIVAN
X
Councilwoman WAHL
I
X