Introduction: The attached lays out our policy in detail, but here is a brief overview. The guidelines are simple:
Use good judgment.
- Remember that almost nothing you post is truly private.
- Remember that you are a professional.
- If you want to remember only one thing about social media, it’s this:
When you publish on Twitter, Facebook, or other platforms, you are not sharing something with a few “friends” or “followers.” You are stepping up to a microphone and making public statements that will be recorded forever and potentially broadcast to everyone on earth.
Most people won’t be listening when you first make your remarks or share your pictures or videos. But some will. And if you should ever happen to say or post something particularly provocative or newsworthy or offensive or shocking, millions of others will immediately tune in.
Importantly, it doesn’t matter what you meant or what you were thinking when you hit “publish.” What matters is what people think you meant. Perception is reality. So use good judgment.
Understand Social Media: In the rapidly expanding world of electronic communication, social media can mean many things. Social media includes all means of communicating or posting information or content of any sort on the Internet, including to your own or someone else’s web log or blog, journal or diary, personal website, social networking or affinity web site (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Instagram, YouTube and wikis), web bulletin board or a chat room, whether or not associated or affiliated with the Company, as well as any other form of electronic communication.
Know and respect Company policies: Please make sure that you are familiar and comply with this policy and all of the policies in the Employee Handbook, to ensure that your postings are consistent with these policies. Inappropriate postings that may include discriminatory remarks, harassment, and threats of violence or similar inappropriate or unlawful content will not be tolerated and may subject you to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
Be careful what you post: You are personally responsible for what you post. Remember that anything you post may be public for a long time, even if you try to modify or remove it later. The Company disclaims any responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, loss, or damages claimed or incurred due to any of your electronic communications.
Speak for yourself, not the Company: Your postings should reflect your personal point of view, not that of the Company. If, however, you post about the Company or any of its business contacts, you must clearly identify yourself as a Company employee and be sure to include a prominent disclaimer stating that the views being expressed are your own, not those of the Company.
Be respectful and professional: Always be fair and courteous. If you decide to post complaints or criticisms, avoid using statements that reasonably could be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening or intimidating, that disparage your co-workers or business contacts or that might constitute harassment or bullying. Examples of such conduct include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone’s reputation or posts that could contribute to a hostile work environment on the basis of any characteristic protected by law or Company policy. Please be professional and respectful of others in your communications, show consideration for others’ privacy and refrain from posting statements, photographs, video or audio that are false, misleading, obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing, fraudulent, discriminatory, or invasive of the privacy of others. Note, however, that this policy is not intended to preclude or dissuade employees from engaging in activities protected by state or federal law, including the National Labor Relations Act such as discussing wages, benefits or terms and conditions of employment, including discussions regarding forming, joining or supporting labor unions, raising complaints about working conditions or other legally protected activities.
Be honest and accurate: Make sure you are always honest and accurate when posting information or news, and if you make a mistake, correct it quickly. Be open about any previous posts you have altered.
Respect laws and confidentiality: Respect copyright, trademark, privacy, financial disclosure, regulatory and all other laws. Do not disclose confidential or sensitive information about the Company, other individuals or business contacts that may have been obtained through your position with the Company, unless you have the right to do so and are taking into account intellectual property and privacy concerns. For example, ask permission before posting someone’s photograph, article, or music in a social network or publishing in a blog a conversation that was meant to be private. In accessing or using a social media site, comply with the legal terms or code of conduct governing such site.
Report your concerns: If you feel that an employee of the Company has engaged in conduct that may violate this policy, please discuss your concerns with Human Resources. The Company prohibits retaliation against any employee for reporting concerns under this policy or for cooperating in an investigation.
Plagiarism
At Dainik Rajeev Times, as at most journalistic organizations, we have a strong policy against plagiarism.
Fairness
Reporters must seek both sides of the story by providing an opportunity for those subject to negative accusations with an opportunity to respond. Reporters seek to convey accusations in detail and allow a fulsome response.
