Social Media Overview and Policies

The City of Scappoose recognizes the value of social media in connecting with our constituents. Social media can be a valuable tool in furthering the City’s mission and goals. The following policy and guidelines are created to guide City employees using social media in performing authorized work for the City.

1. “Social media” includes, but is not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, the City App, Instagram, and other similar services.

2. The City shall identify those employees authorized to use social media on behalf of the City. Only those employees who are authorized shall engage in social media activities on behalf of the City. The City Manager or designee shall maintain a list of authorized social media users.

3. All social media accounts should be created using a City-issued email address, whenever possible. This will ensure that:

• Personal and professional communications are separated;
• The City can back up public conversations because the City owns and controls the email address;
• The City can access the site when the employee is out on vacation or otherwise away from the office or leaves employment with the City; and
• The City can determine that the site is legitimately the City’s (and not a rogue site generated from a private email address)

4. The City shall notify users and visitors to social media sites that the purpose of the site is to facilitate communication between the City and the public. Each site shall contain the following message:

"This site (or page) is created and maintained by the City of Scappoose. This site (or page) is intended to serve as a mechanism for communication between the public and the City of Scappoose on all topics relevant to City business. The City of Scappoose reserves the right to remove comments or postings that violate any applicable laws. A list of content that will be removed may be viewed at: [insert hyperlink to user guidelines]. Postings to this site (or page) are public records of the City of Scappoose and may be subject to disclosure under Oregon Public Records Law. The City of Scappoose does not endorse nor sponsor any advertising posted by the social media host, the social media host is a private entity, and the privacy terms of the site apply. The City of Scappoose does not guarantee reliability, accuracy, or security of any third-party links."

5. Where possible, all social media sites or pages will display the City’s logo or seal for consistency and authenticity. The City has ownership of the City logo and seal, which shall only be used by the City for City business.

6. Social media posts are considered public records if posts are made on an official City account; or on a City employee’s or official’s private account which makes or receives comments on City matters.

7. The City and its employees and officials shall not discriminate against public speech based on content or viewpoint. The City, its staff and its officials may not engage in viewpoint discrimination. All persons who wish to “friend,” “follow,” “re-tweet,” etc. must be allowed to do so.

8. It is the policy of the City to not respond to comments on social media pages, although the City will at times reply to direct messages, such as in the course of a Law Enforcement investigation. Replying to messages occasionally is not meant to establish a pattern or requirement to reply to all messages but is an acknowledgment that replying to messages occasionally furthers the City’s legitimate business interests.

9. A disclaimer shall be visible on the City’s social media site(s) encouraging site visitors seeking a response to contact the City via email or telephone directly.

10. The following content posted by the public on a City-maintained social media site may be removed :

• Comments not topically related to the particular article being commented upon; ii. Comments in support of or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures; iii. Profane language or content;
• Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination upon the basis on
• race, religion, gender, gender identity, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income or other protected status under applicable law;
• Inappropriate sexual content or links to inappropriate sexual content;
• Solicitations of commerce;
• Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity;
• Personally identifiable and/or confidential information;
• Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public, public systems, or public facilities; or
• Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party.

11. These guidelines shall be displayed to all users or made available by hyperlink on the City’s official social media site(s)/page(s). Any content removed must be retained, including the time, date, and identity of the poster when available.