NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE OF THE PREMIER

Social Media Use Policy

Contents
1. Policy statement
2. Who is covered by the policy
3. The scope of the policy
4. Responsibility for implementation of the policy
5. Using social media sites in our name
6. Using work-related social media
7. Personal use of social media sites
8. Rules for use of social media
9. Monitoring use of social media websites
10. Monitoring and review of this policy

1. Policy statement
1.1. This policy is intended to help Northern Cape Provincial Government personnel make appropriate decisions about the use of social media such as blogs, wikis, social networking websites, podcasts, forums, message boards, or comments on web-articles, such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and any other relevant websites.
1.2. This policy outlines the standards we require personnel to observe when using social media, the circumstances in which we will monitor the use of social media and the action we will take in respect of breaches of this policy.
1.3. This policy supplements the Information Security policy approved on 23 February 2011 by the Director-General.
1.4. This policy does not form part of any contract of employment and it may be amended at any time.
2. Who is covered by the policy 2.1. This policy covers all individuals working at all levels and grades, including senior managers, officers, directors, employees, consultants, contractors, trainees, part-time and fixed-term employees, casual and volunteers of the Northern Cape Provincial Government (collectively referred to as personnel in this policy).
3. The scope of the policy
3.1. All personnel are expected to comply with this policy at all times to protect the privacy, confidentiality, and interests of the Northern Cape Provincial Government and our services, employees, partners and customers.
3.2. Breach of this policy may be dealt with in terms of the Public Service Disciplinary Procedure and, in serious cases, may be treated as gross misconduct leading to summary dismissal.
4. Responsibility for implementation of the policy
4.1. The Accounting Officer of a Department has overall responsibility for the effective operation of this policy.
4.2. The Departmental IT Manager and Security Manager is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the operation of this policy and making recommendations for changes to minimise risks to our government.
4.3. All personnel are responsible for their own compliance with this policy and for ensuring that it is consistently applied. All personnel should ensure that they take the time to read and understand it. Any breach of this policy should be reported to Departmental IT Manager or Security Manager.
4.4. Questions regarding the content or application of this policy should be directed to the Departmental IT Manager or Security Manager.
5. Using social media sites in our name
5.1. Only the Chief Director: Information Communication Services and delegated personnel are permitted to post material on a social media website in our name and on our behalf. Any breach of this restriction will amount to gross misconduct.
6. Using work-related social media
6.1 We recognise the importance of the internet in shaping public thinking about government and our services, employees, partners and customers. We also recognise the importance of our personnel joining in and helping shape conversation and direction through interaction in social media.
6.2 You are therefore permitted to interact on Provincial and National Governments' Departments Facebook pages.
6.3 Before using work-related social media you must have read and understood this policy and the Provincial Government Information Security Policy.
7. Personal use of social media sites
7.1 We permit the incidental use of social media websites for personal use subject to certain conditions set out below during official working hours. However, this is a privilege and not a right. It must neither be abused nor overused and we reserve the right to withdraw our permission at any time at our entire discretion.
7.2 The following conditions must be met for personal use to continue:
7.2.1 use must be minimal and take place out of normal working hours (that is, during lunch hours, before 7:30 am or after 4:00 pm);
7.2.2 use must not breach any of the rules set out in point 8 below.
7.2.3 use must not interfere with business or office commitments;
7.2.4 use must comply with Departmental policies including the provincial Information Security Policy.
8. Rules for use of social media
Whenever you are permitted to use social media in accordance with this policy, you must adhere to the following general rules:
8.1 Always write in the first person, identify who you are and what your role is and use the following disclaimer "The views expressed are my own and don't reflect the views of my employer".
8.2 Do not upload, post, forward or post a link to any abusive, obscene, discriminatory, harassing, derogatory or defamatory content.
8.3 Any member of personnel who feels that they have been harassed or bullied, or are offended by material posted or uploaded by a colleague onto a social media website should inform their line manager.
8.4 Do not upload, post or forward any content belonging to a third party unless you have that third party's consent.
8.5 It is acceptable to quote a small excerpt from an article, particularly for the purposes of commenting on it or criticising it. Quote accurately, include references.
8.6 Before you include a link to a third party website, check that any terms and conditions of that website permit you to link to it. All links must be done so that it is clear to the user that they have moved to the third party's website.
8.7 When making use of any social media platform, you must read and comply with its terms of use.
8.8 Do not post, upload, forward or post a link to chain mail, junk mail, cartoons, jokes or gossip.
8.9 Be honest and open, but be mindful of the impact your contribution might make to people's perceptions of Provincial Government. If you make a mistake in a contribution, be prompt in admitting and correcting it.
8.10 You are personally responsible for content you publish into social media tools - be aware that what you publish will be public for many years.
8.11 Don't escalate heated discussions, try to be conciliatory, respectful and quote facts to lower the temperature and correct misrepresentations. Never contribute to a discussion if you are angry or upset, return to it later when you can contribute in a calm and rational manner.
8.12 Don't discuss colleagues, customers or suppliers without their prior approval.
8.13 Always consider others' privacy and avoid discussing topics that may be inflammatory e.g. politics and religion.
8.14 Avoid publishing your contact details where they can be accessed and used and never publish anyone else's contact details.
8.15 Before your first contribution on any social media site, observe the activity on the site for a while before launching in yourself to get a feel for the style of contributions, the nature of the content and any 'unwritten' rules that other contributors might follow.
8.16 Activity on social media websites during office hours should complement and/or support your role and should be used in moderation.
8.17 If you notice any content posted on social media about us (whether complementary or critical) please report it to the Directorate: Communications.
9. Monitoring use of social media websites
9.1 Personnel should be aware that any use of social media websites (whether or not accessed for work purposes) may be monitored and, where breaches of this policy are found, action may be taken in terms of our Public Service Disciplinary Procedure.
9.2 We reserve the right to restrict or prevent access to certain social media websites if we consider personal use to be excessive. Monitoring is only carried out to the extent permitted or as required by law and as necessary and justifiable for business purposes.
9.3 Misuse of social media websites can, in certain circumstances, constitute a criminal offence or otherwise give rise to legal liability against you and Provincial Government. It may also cause embarrassment to us and to our clients.
9.4 In particular uploading, posting forwarding or posting a link to any of the following types of material on a social media website, whether in a professional or personal capacity, will amount to gross misconduct (this list is not exhaustive):
9.4.1 pornographic material (that is, writing, pictures, films and video clips of a sexually explicit or arousing nature);
9.4.2 a false and defamatory statement about any person or government;
9.4.3 material which is offensive, obscene, criminal discriminatory, derogatory or may cause embarrassment to us, our clients or our personnel;
9.4.4 confidential information about us or any of our personnel or clients (which you do not have express authority to disseminate);
9.4.5 any other statement which is likely to create any liability (whether criminal or civil, and whether for you or us); or
9.4.6 material in breach of copyright or other intellectual property rights, or which invades the privacy of any person.
Any such action will be addressed under the Public Service Disciplinary Procedure and is likely to result in summary dismissal.
9.5 Where evidence of misuse is found we may undertake a more detailed investigation in accordance with the Public Service Disciplinary Procedure involving the examination and disclosure of monitoring records to those nominated to undertake the investigation and any witnesses or managers involved in the investigation. If necessary such information may be handed to the police in connection with a criminal investigation.
9.6. If you notice any use of social media by other members of personnel in breach of this policy please report it to your line manager.
10. Monitoring and review of this policy
10.1 The Communications Directorate at the Office of the Premier shall be responsible for reviewing this policy annually to ensure that it meets legal requirements and reflects best practice.