1.4: Social Media Guidance

A whole of Government guidance will be developed for public servants when interacting with social media.

Other Information:

In using social media, Victorian public servants need to maintain the same high standards of conduct and ethical behaviour that are essential to the relationship between the public sector and the government, the public sector and the community, and between those who work in the public sector. However social media has particular characteristics that need further consideration. This includes the amplifying nature of social media where information and views can be spread quickly and widely. Social media also demands real time engagement, so forms of authorisation that apply to traditional communications do not translate easily in their application where fast approval is required. Additionally, social media is more than just a tool for communication and engagement with the public. It can be used to develop and deliver policy. As such it can be used by both policy officers and communications officers alike in the performance of their duties. The Public Sector Standards Commissioner will issue Guidance for Use of Social Media in the Victorian Public Sector. This guidance will be high level and principles based. Departments and agencies will review and amend their various policies to devolve these principles in their departments.

Stakeholder(s):

• Public Servants

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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