Social Media Policy

City of Neosho Social Media Policy

Summary and Purpose:

The use of social media allows the City of Neosho to expand communication efforts with our citizens and visitors to educate, engage, provide transparency, and support the City’s mission to provide citizens a safe, peaceful, and thriving environment. To keep our social media sites safe forums for sharing your experiences, suggesting improvements, or joining a conversation, we have created this policy to define and outline acceptable use of social media sides and resources. Our social media sites are moderated, and all comments, if allowed by the City, are reviewed. Informational posts, such as weather updates, road conditions and road work or projects may have limited commenting.

Examples:

Examples of social media that the City may use include, but are not limited to: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Pinterest, Vimeo, YouTube, photo and video sharing sites, virtual worlds and other sites that allow interactive posting of information, images, video and comments.

Applicability:

This policy shall apply to all City departments as well as any affiliated government or non-government agency or official permitted by the City to post on the City’s social media sites. This policy applies to the use of social networking sites in the course of conducting official City business and is not intended to address employees’ personal use of social media networking sites. Employees should also make themselves aware of City policies pertaining to personal use of social media networking sites and the potential ways that use could impact their employment with the City.

Policy:

The City's social media program involves establishing an online presence that offers citizens various ways to receive City updates and information. The choice of platforms the City uses, does not use, or whether it continues to maintain an interactive social media presence remains at the discretion of the City. The City’s Communications Department is responsible for the creation, administration, updating and monitoring of official City of Neosho social media. No City department employee shall create a separate social media account without the written approval of the City Manager.

Postings on City social media sites may only be made through official City accounts that are recognizable as being affiliated with the City. Official postings on City social media sites shall only be made by City employees authorized to post as a representative spokesperson of the City. City employees not authorized to act as a representative spokesperson shall not represent themselves as such if posting as a private citizen. The City’s official seal and other departmental symbols and logos are the exclusive property of the City, are legally protected and may not be used by others without the City’s written consent.

Authorized personnel shall not intentionally delete comments left on the City’s social media accounts by Citizens unless they are Prohibited Content as described herein, or do not qualify for First Amendment protection as determined in consultation with the City Attorney. If authorized personnel have any questions as to whether content is prohibited, they should contact the City Attorney.

Third party information from City partners may be shared through social media so long as it conforms to the guidelines established under the City’s communications plan.

The City’s social media sites may be considered public records subject to disclosure under the Missouri Open Records Law (RSMo Chapter 610); therefore, content shall be managed, stored, retrieved and deleted to comply with these laws.

Wherever possible, City social media sites shall link back to www.neoshomo.gov for additional information.

Prohibited Content:

The following content is prohibited and subject to removal:

Comments unrelated to the particular City post purportedly being commented upon;
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;
Comments containing vulgar, offensive (racially or ethnically), profane, physically threatening or sexually explicit language, personal attacks, or unsupported accusations.
Language that promotes or provokes violence;
Content that violates any cyber-crime or other criminal law;
Information that may compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems;
Photographs or videos unrelated to the particular post or may be deceptive;
Private information as defined by State or Federal statute, regulations or written City policies adopted in conformance with the law;
Spamming or repetitive content such as posting the same content more than two times in the same location;
Sexual content or links to sexual content;
Solicitations of commerce or advertisements including promotion or endorsement;
Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity;
Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party including trade secrets (information regarding the development of systems, processes, products and technology), internal reports, policies, procedures and confidential communications;
Content promoting the use of Illegal or banned substances and narcotics;
Content intended to defame any person, group, or organization;
Content that makes false, vicious or malicious statements concerning any employee, the City or its operations;
Comments in support or opposition to political campaigns, ballot measures or referendums;
Promotions or endorsements of political issues, groups or individuals;
Reference employees by name;

Unacceptable content and repeat individual violators shall be hidden, removed, or blocked.

To protect your own privacy and the privacy of others, please do not include personally identifiable information, such as Social Security number, addresses, phone numbers or email addresses in your comment.

Disclaimer:

The City of Neosho has not evaluated the facts or information contained in public comments and does not endorse any position, product, business or non-official statement that may be on any of its social media sites.

This social media policy may be revised at any time.
Revised October 23, 2024