Social Media Participant Use Policy
newwestcity.ca/social-media-participant-use-policy
The City of New Westminster uses social media as one of several communications tools in order to keep residents up-to-date and informed about what’s happening at the City and in our community. We encourage residents who have social media accounts to follow the City on its official channels, and to help share news and information with other members of our community. By engaging with the City of New Westminster's social media channels, you agree to the following terms and conditions. This participant policy is subject to amendment or modification at any time. We welcome respectful comments and questions on the City of New Westminster’s social media accounts and we expect residents to use the same civil and on-topic approach that they would if approaching staff in person. As such, we reserve the right to hide or delete the following types of comments:
• Comments that contain violent, inflammatory, obscene, profane, hateful, or racist remarks, links, or images
• Comments that threaten or defame any person or organization, or are bullying in nature
• Comments that are unreasonably rude or disruptive
• Comments that are unrelated to the topic of the post
• Comments that contain inaccurate information about City or Council services, decisions, operations, or staff/Council members
• Comments that are solicitations, advertisements, or endorsements of any third-party organizations, unless already advertised/endorsed by the City
• Comments promoting or opposing any person campaigning for election to a political office
• Comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity, or contain material that violates copyrights or trademarks of others
• Repetitive or duplicate comments by a single user, or repetitive comments by others regarding a matter that has already been addressed by the City
Participants engaging on the City’s social media accounts are individually responsible for the content of their comments. If repeated posts of the above nature, or a single incident of severe misconduct, are made by any individual account, we reserve the right to block that person without warning. Further, the City reserves the right to restrict comments at any time on any post for any of the following reasons:
• To protect City staff, Council members, and vulnerable groups from insult or harassment
• When there is a high likelihood of unproductive or polarizing conversation, or the discussion is no longer respectful or productive
• When comments cannot reasonably be moderated
Residents who wish to formally submit feedback to decision and policy makers should use either the City’s contact form, or the Be Heard website if the comments are regarding a project that is actively seeking public input. Residents can also contact City Council or speak at Council as a delegation.
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REVELANT LINKS
General contact form: newwestcity.ca/services/online-forms/contact-us
Be Heard website: beheardnewwest.ca
Contact City Council: newwestcity.ca/city_hall/mayor_and_council/index
Delegate at Council: newwestcity.ca/city_hall/mayor_and_council/council-meetings/how-to-speak-to-council
