City of Tumwater Social Media Policies

Purpose

The primary purpose of City social media sites is to communicate news, events and information from the City to residents, businesses, visitors and other interested parties; and to provide limited opportunities for feedback and input to the City. The City considers the social media sites that it creates and maintains, whether developed solely by the City or using a third-party social media resource (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Constant Contact, YouTube, etc.), to be moderated, limited discussion sites and not general public forums. The sites will be reasonably moderated by City staff. Discussion topics and information will be initiated by City staff. All posted content (comments, photos, links, etc.) must relate to the particular discussion initiated by the City and be focused on City programs, services, projects, issues, events, and activities.

Terms of Use

Any user accessing, browsing and using a City of Tumwater social media site accepts without limitation or qualification, the City's Social Media Policies (hereafter "Policies"). These terms and conditions apply only to the social media sites (defined here as third-party hosted online technologies that facilitate social interaction and dialogue, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) that are managed by the City of Tumwater. The City of Tumwater maintains the right to modify these Policies without notice. Any modification is effective immediately upon posting the modification on the Social Media Policy page unless otherwise stated. Continued use of a City of Tumwater social media site following the posting of any modification signifies acceptance of such modification.

All users of a City of Tumwater social media site are also subject to the site’s own privacy policy. The City of Tumwater has no control over a site’s privacy policy or their modifications to it. The City of Tumwater also has no control over content, commercial advertisements, or other postings produced by the social media site that appear on the City of Tumwater social media site as part of the site’s environment. The City of Tumwater assumes no liability for any inaccuracies these social media sites may contain or for any consequences that may arise from changes to the site’s privacy policies, and does not guarantee that the social media sites will be uninterrupted or error-free.

Any comment posted on City of Tumwater social media sites by anyone other than an authorized City staff member acting on behalf of the City, is the opinion of the commentator or poster only. Publication of a comment or post does not imply endorsement of or agreement by the City of Tumwater, nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the City of Tumwater government.  

The City may acquire email or other contact information from the City’s social media sites for the purposes of sending City communications. 

Comment Policy

The following are prohibited on City of Tumwater social media sites:

1. Comments not topically related to the initial post or content that is false or misleading.
2. Content in support of or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures.
3. Religious statements, including comments that endorse or oppose any type of religion, religious opinions or activities.
4. Profane language, violent, offensive, harassing, or threatening content.
5. Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or other protected status.
6. Obscene or sexual content or links to such content.
7. Solicitations of commerce, posts that promote or advertise commercial services, unless generated by a third-party social media service in such a manner as the City cannot block.
8. Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity.
9. Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems or which incite or encourage the public to take actions contrary to law or public safety.
10. Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party.
11. Content that could compromise an ongoing police investigation.

Content Review and Removal

All content added or uploaded to City of Tumwater social media sites will be periodically reviewed by City staff. All content on City of Tumwater social media is considered a public record and subject to disclosure (RCW 42.56.)

The City reserves the right to:

• Restrict or remove content that is deemed in violation of the City’s Social Media Policies, Comment Policy, or any applicable law.
• Restrict or remove posted content and/or comments periodically. 
• Discontinue or delete a discussion thread at any time, without cause or prior notice. 
• Deny access to social media sites to any individual who violates the City’s Social Media Policy or Comment Policy at any time and for any period of time.

Official Notices

Communications and/or requests made through City of Tumwater social media sites in no way constitutes a legal or official notice of or comment to the City of Tumwater. For example, a post or comment on a social media site requesting public records will not be considered a public records request to the City, and a post or comment on an issue or topic subject to a noticed comment period will not be considered part of the official record for that issue or topic. All formal requests, testimony and comments must be submitted in accordance with established City procedures. All public records requests must be directed to the City Clerk.

Links Policy

Links to other social media sites and external websites provided on the City of Tumwater social media site —The City of Tumwater may include links to other social media sites or websites that offer helpful topic-relevant resources for users. Acceptable sites include websites or social media sites of other public agencies; nonprofit services that extend the goals and mission of the City and benefit the Tumwater community; and partner organizations, where a contractual relationship exists to provide services on the City’s behalf.

Promotion of private businesses for purely commercial purposes is prohibited on City social media sites. Once a user links to another page or site, the City's policies no longer apply and the visitor becomes subject to the policies of that page or site. The City of Tumwater's social media sites are intended specifically to share information about City programs, events and services. The City of Tumwater is not responsible for the content that appears on these outside links and provides these links as a convenience only. Users should be aware that these external pages and sites and the information found on those pages and sites are not controlled by, provided by, or endorsed by the City of Tumwater. Links posted by outside individuals are prohibited. 

Links by other entities to City of Tumwater social media sites - It is not necessary to get advance permission to link to City of Tumwater social media sites; however, entities and individuals linking to City of Tumwater social media sites may not capture any of the City's social media sites within frames, present City of Tumwater content as their own or otherwise misrepresent any of the City’s social media site content. Furthermore, they shall not misinform users about the origin or ownership of City of Tumwater social media site content. Links to City of Tumwater social media sites should not in any way suggest that the City of Tumwater has any relationship or affiliation with that organization or that the City endorses sponsors or recommends the information, products or services of that site.

Copyright Policy 

All information and materials generated by the City of Tumwater and provided on City of Tumwater social media sites are the property of the City of Tumwater. The City retains copyright on all text, graphic images and other content that was produced by the City of Tumwater and found on the page. 

Copies of information and materials may be printed for personal or non-commercial use, provided that the copyright symbol or other such proprietary notice remains intact on any reproduction of copyrighted materials. Please include a credit line reading: "Credit: City of Tumwater Facebook (or Twitter or YouTube) Page" or "Courtesy of City of Tumwater." Commercial use of text, City logos, photos and other graphics is prohibited without the express written permission of the City of Tumwater. Use of the City logo is prohibited for any non-governmental purpose. Any person reproducing or redistributing a third party copyright must adhere to the terms and conditions of the third party copyright holder. If you are a copyright holder and you feel that the City of Tumwater did not use an appropriate credit line please notify the webmaster with detailed information about the circumstances, so that the copyright information can be added or the material in question can be removed.

City Contact

Social media sites are not monitored 24 hours/day, call 9-1-1 for emergencies. All formal requests, testimony and comments must be submitted in accordance with established City procedures. If you have any questions or concerns about the City of Tumwater Social Media Policies or implementation, or if you find incorrect information or are interested in seeking permissions that fall outside of the guidelines above, please contact the City’s webmaster or call (360) 754-4128.