Approval Date: December 2023
Background
Social Media platforms have become an increasingly vital means of communication with our community, which now holds heightened expectations regarding the way they receive news.
Social Media allows Latrobe City Council to reach many people quickly and efficiently, update critical information live and interact directly with members of the community to raise awareness and understanding about Council policies and City activities.
Social media tools offer an opportunity for Council to connect with residents and stakeholders to communicate the positive work of the organisation, share in good news stories, find out what’s happening in our region, keep in touch with changes and make enquiries.
Objectives
This policy outlines the proper use of social media and aims to provide a framework for use that protects the reputation and integrity of each individual, and Latrobe City Council by guiding the appropriate use of social media platforms and tools by Council staff, contractors, agents and volunteers who use social media on behalf of Latrobe City Council. This policy also applies to agencies and individuals who provide services to Latrobe City Council.
Scope
This policy applies to all social media communications made by Council staff, contractors, agents and volunteers who are authorised to make, or be construed to make, representations on behalf of Latrobe City Council.
The policy outlines requirements for compliance with regards to confidentiality, governance, legal, privacy and regulatory parameters when using social media to conduct Council business.
It aims to inform appropriate use of social media tools for Latrobe City Council, promote effective communication through social media, minimise miscommunication or mischievous or damaging communications and ensure that only accurate information is shared on social media platforms.
The policy applies to those digital spaces where people may comment, contribute, create, forward, post, upload and share content. The policy applies to those digital spaces where people may comment, contribute, create, forward, post, upload and share content, including blogs; bulletin boards; citizen journalism and news sites; forums and discussion boards; instant messaging facilities; microblogging sites (e.g. Twitter,Tumblr); online encyclopedias and wikis (e.g. Wikipedia); podcasts and video podcasts; social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Messenger, WhatsApp, Snapchat, YouTube, Vimeo); video and photo sharing sites (e.g. Flickr, Pinterest, Periscope); emarketing software (Mailchimp orother), third-party event builders (Eventbrite or other) and any other websites that allow individuals to use simple publishing tools or new technologies emerging from the digital environment. The absence of a reference to a particular site or type of social media activity does not limit the application of this policy.
Further Information
View the Full Policy: