1. PURPOSE
1.1 City of Houston departments may use social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to reach a broader audience. While the City’s website (www.houstontx.gov) is the City’s primary Internet presence, the City recognizes that, when used appropriately, social media may be useful in furthering the goals of the City and the missions of its departments.
1.2 This Executive Order provides policies, standards, and procedures for the use of social media sites. All official City presences on social media sites or services are considered extensions of the City’s information networks and are governed by the responsibilities set forth in this and related policies and procedures (such as E.O. 1-48, Policy on Information Technology Security and A.P. 8-2, Procedure on Electronic Mail Communications) and in the City’s standards of conduct, Chapter 14, Section 14-183 of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances. Violations of this policy shall be considered misconduct and may result in discipline up to and including indefinite suspension/termination.
1.3 Additionally, the City recognizes that many City employees use social media tools such as Facebook in their personal lives. Therefore, this policy provides guidelines for City employees when they communicate on social media sites as a private citizen.
2. OBJECTIVE
2.1 To maintain the integrity of the City’s presence in social media and to ensure that social media is used appropriately and within City guidelines and policies.
3. DEFINITIONS
City Social Media Sites – Those pages, sections or posting locations in social media websites established or maintained by an employee of the City authorized to do so as part of the employee’s job and that are used to communicate with the public on City business.
Social Media – Internet-based technology communications tools with a focus on immediacy, interactivity, user participation, and information sharing. These venues include social networking sites, forums,...