Social Media Policy

General Purpose

The purpose of City of Lawrence social media platforms is to serve as a mechanism for communication between the City and members of the public. However, City social media platforms are not the primary method of communication with the City, and any notices or requests for City services must be made via official communication methods identified on the City’s website, or by traditional methods of notification recognized by the City. No comments or posts on the City’s social media pages will be construed as providing notice to the City of any claim, deficiency, dangerous condition, request, or otherwise.

The purpose of this policy is to establish regulations to help facilitate and enhance the exchange of information and ideas through the City of Lawrence social media platforms.

Standards of Conduct

The content of City social media is maintained by the City of Lawrence, which follows this Social Media Policy in evaluating user activity and commentary. Content on the City’s social media shall only pertain to City-sponsored or City-endorsed programs, services, and events. Content includes, but is not limited to, information, photographs, video, and hyperlinks.

Any comment posted by a member of the public on an official City social media platform is the opinion of the commentator only, and its publication on such Page shall not imply endorsement of or agreement by the City. In addition, the City cannot guarantee the accuracy of any such posts.

While the City of Lawrence encourages people to share thoughts and opinions on its social media sites, the City expects it will be done in a respectful manner. The City’s goal is to share ideas and information with as many individuals as possible, and the City will accept all comments made to our postings that are not in violation of this policy.

The City reserves the right to remove content that is deemed in violation of this policy or applicable law. The City will remove comments in violation of this policy from the social media page. Any participant on a City social media page that repeatedly violates the commenting guidelines as set forth in this policy may be permanently removed from the City’s social media. The City of Lawrence reserves the right to temporarily or permanently suspend access to any page at any time.

Postings to City social media sites, which includes comments made by members of the public, shall not contain any of the following:

1. Comments not related to the topic of discussion as related to the City’s post;
2. Comments in support of or in opposition to political campaigns, candidates, or ballot measures;
3. Profane, obscene, uncivil, harassing, or similar language or content;
4. Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance, national origin, sexual orientation, sexual identity, or physical or mental disability or any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws;
5. Defamatory remarks, personal attacks, or threats against any individual person or group of people;
6. Sexual content;
7. Solicitations of commerce, unsolicited proposals, or other business ideas or inquiries;
8. Promotion or encouragement of illegal activity;
9. Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public, public systems, the City, its employees, or public officials;
10. Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any party;
11. Any content in violation of or inconsistent with federal, state, or local laws and ordinances;
12. Comments containing links to any outside websites
13. Spam comments, such as the same comment posted repeatedly;
14. Any content not listed herein but that is otherwise inconsistent with the spirit of civility intended by this Social Media Use Policy.

Reporting Violations

The City  understands social media is a 24/7 medium; however, its  moderation capabilities are not. The City may not see every inappropriate comment right away. If a member of our community sees an inappropriate comment before our team, they can send the City  a message on the social media page/platform they are using or email the City at citycommunications@lawrenceks.org.

Submitting Content

If there is content, including information, photographs, videos and hyperlinks, that you would like the City to share on its social media accounts, please send a private message with the information or email us at citycommunications@lawrenceks.org. The City  will review and determine if it fits within our policy. The City makes no guarantee that any submitted content will be posted or shared by City social media accounts.

Termination

The City reserves the right to terminate any City social media page at any time without notice.