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Social Media Policy
City of Aurora Social Media Policy for Use of City Social Media by the Public (updated 12/7/21)
Purpose:
The City of Aurora recognizes that social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, are one of the most common forms of communication and often preferred method for the public to receive information and discuss events and developments
relevant to the City. Members of the public, including City residents, businesses, visitors, and media, rely on the City’s social media accounts to stay informed about matters affecting the City. Through the use of social media, the City has the ability to publish news releases, highlight City-sponsored or related events, ordinances, and provide media coverage on topics relevant to City business. The City also has the ability to interact with members of the public through its social media accounts. As such, the City hereby adopts this Social Media Policy, which shall apply to all official City Social Media Accounts and establishes the parameters and guidelines for the public’s use of, and the
City’s management of such accounts.
Social Media Parameters for Public Usage:
A. Limited Public Forum. The City’s social media accounts are limited public forums as that term is defined by federal law. The City does not make its social media accounts available for general public discourse, but rather reserves and limits the topics that may be discussed on the social media accounts.
B. Content Restrictions; Removal. Since the City’s Social Media Accounts constitute a limited public forum, the City reserves the right to restrict or remove any content that is deemed in violation of this policy or any applicable law. However, the City shall not remove any content based solely on the viewpoint expressed therein. Rather, content that is deemed not suitable for posting by the City’s Social Media Administrator because it is not topically related to the particular subject being commented upon, or is deemed prohibited content based on the criteria defined below, is subject to removal by the City. However, to the extent any removed content constitutes a “public record” under state law, it shall be retained pursuant to the City’s records retention schedule along with a description of the reason the specific content was deleted. Content posted to a City social media account that contains any of the following forms of prohibited content shall not be permitted and shall be subject to removal:
i. Comments not topically related to the particular post or content being commented upon.
ii. Slanderous, libelous, malicious, offensive, threatening, violent, profane, uncivil, or insulting language.
iii. Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation.
iv. Sexual content or links to sexual content.
v. Solicitations of commerce.
vi. Personally identifiable information, such as an address, phone number, social security number or other sensitive information.
vii. Promotion or advertisement in favor of, or in opposition to, a political campaign, ballot measure, or political candidate.
viii. Content encouraging or inciting illegal activity.
ix. Information that may tend to compromise or interfere with, ongoing investigations of law enforcement, police tactics, or the safety or security of the public or public systems.
x. Distribution of copyrighted photographs, music, video, graphics, or other content without the express permission of the copyright holder.
C. Notice. Users and visitors to the City’s social media accounts shall be notified that the intended purpose of the site is to serve as a mechanism for communication of City news, services and events. They shall also be notified that the social media account constitutes a limited public forum, and that this Social Media Policy, including the provisions on removal of content, applies. Part I of this Policy entitled “Public Usage Policy” shall be posted on the City’s official website.
Emergencies. The City’s social media accounts are for informational purposes only, and are not monitored by City staff twenty-four hours a day. Therefore, anyone wishing to report a crime or request emergency, police, or fire assistance should so by dialing 9-1-1
Purpose:
The City of Aurora recognizes that social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, are one of the most common forms of communication and often preferred method for the public to receive information and discuss events and developments
relevant to the City. Members of the public, including City residents, businesses, visitors, and media, rely on the City’s social media accounts to stay informed about matters affecting the City. Through the use of social media, the City has the ability to publish news releases, highlight City-sponsored or related events, ordinances, and provide media coverage on topics relevant to City business. The City also has the ability to interact with members of the public through its social media accounts. As such, the City hereby adopts this Social Media Policy, which shall apply to all official City Social Media Accounts and establishes the parameters and guidelines for the public’s use of, and the
City’s management of such accounts.
Social Media Parameters for Public Usage:
A. Limited Public Forum. The City’s social media accounts are limited public forums as that term is defined by federal law. The City does not make its social media accounts available for general public discourse, but rather reserves and limits the topics that may be discussed on the social media accounts.
B. Content Restrictions; Removal. Since the City’s Social Media Accounts constitute a limited public forum, the City reserves the right to restrict or remove any content that is deemed in violation of this policy or any applicable law. However, the City shall not remove any content based solely on the viewpoint expressed therein. Rather, content that is deemed not suitable for posting by the City’s Social Media Administrator because it is not topically related to the particular subject being commented upon, or is deemed prohibited content based on the criteria defined below, is subject to removal by the City. However, to the extent any removed content constitutes a “public record” under state law, it shall be retained pursuant to the City’s records retention schedule along with a description of the reason the specific content was deleted. Content posted to a City social media account that contains any of the following forms of prohibited content shall not be permitted and shall be subject to removal:
i. Comments not topically related to the particular post or content being commented upon.
ii. Slanderous, libelous, malicious, offensive, threatening, violent, profane, uncivil, or insulting language.
iii. Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation.
iv. Sexual content or links to sexual content.
v. Solicitations of commerce.
vi. Personally identifiable information, such as an address, phone number, social security number or other sensitive information.
vii. Promotion or advertisement in favor of, or in opposition to, a political campaign, ballot measure, or political candidate.
viii. Content encouraging or inciting illegal activity.
ix. Information that may tend to compromise or interfere with, ongoing investigations of law enforcement, police tactics, or the safety or security of the public or public systems.
x. Distribution of copyrighted photographs, music, video, graphics, or other content without the express permission of the copyright holder.
C. Notice. Users and visitors to the City’s social media accounts shall be notified that the intended purpose of the site is to serve as a mechanism for communication of City news, services and events. They shall also be notified that the social media account constitutes a limited public forum, and that this Social Media Policy, including the provisions on removal of content, applies. Part I of this Policy entitled “Public Usage Policy” shall be posted on the City’s official website.
Emergencies. The City’s social media accounts are for informational purposes only, and are not monitored by City staff twenty-four hours a day. Therefore, anyone wishing to report a crime or request emergency, police, or fire assistance should so by dialing 9-1-1