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Posts for Social Media

Social media symbols set up like a slot machine

Social Media and Public Agencies: Strategies to Harness Communication Potential and Avoid Legal Challenges

December 2, 2024  by  Harry Boesche
Category:  Social Media ,  Inclusive Communities ,  Public Participation

Social media has proven to be an effective communication tool for local governments but not without its challenges. Proper guidance for staff and elected officials can help agencies avoid potential legal issues, such as violating the Open Public Meetings Act.

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A surprised woman reads comments by critics on social media

U.S. Supreme Court Changes Law on Government First Amendment Liability for Social Media Activities

April 8, 2024  by  Harry Boesche
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Social Media

The recent ruling in Lindke v. Freed changes Washington law regarding government First Amendment liability in social media use and has important implications for local government officials and their agencies.

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A hand chooses among several options of social media apps

Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Social Media

October 23, 2023  by  Nathan MacDonald
Category:  Guest Author ,  Social Media

Despite the many challenges local governments face in using social media platforms, these tools offer huge benefits in terms of immediacy and reach. Agencies can put safeguards in place to stay focused even when the social media landscape seems to be in turmoil. 

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Shows a group of social media icons against a table at which two people are working; one on a cell phone and another on an iPad.

Social Media Policy Questions for Local Governments to Answer

April 12, 2023  by  Sarah Doar
Category:  Social Media

Establishing effective social media policies requires your agency consider a number of questions, from what is the communications-related goal of using these tools to how the agency might address personal use of social media sites by employees and elected officials. 

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Adverse Employment Action for Employee Social Media Use: Balancing First Amendment Rights and Governmental Efficiency

March 14, 2022  by  Rachel Bender Turpin
Category:  Guest Author ,  Social Media

Private companies can discipline or fire employees for offensive personal social media posts. However public employers cannot retaliate against their employees in the same way due to First Amendment rights to free speech. This blog shows how the courts weigh this tension.

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They Said What?! — Handling Misinformation

December 13, 2021  by  Tracy Burrows
Category:  Social Media

From conspiracies to outright gossip, this blog offers tips for local governments on how to counter misleading claims on social media. 

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Addressing Free Speech in your Social Media Comment Policy

August 9, 2016  by  Josh Mahar
Category:  Social Media

This post is about giving local governments some information on how and what a good approach to take is when addressing public comments on their Facebook or other social media pages.

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Social Media Management is Now a Full-Fledged Government Discipline

December 17, 2015  by  Josh Mahar
Category:  Social Media

The importance and complexity of social media have turned this once fledgling activity into a critical piece of government communication resources and it may be time for your organization to take it more seriously.

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Strategies for Managing Social Media Records from the State Archives

June 18, 2015  by  Josh Mahar
Category:  Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for engagement, but often a nightmare for public records officers. We interviewed Leslie Koziara Turner with the State Archives to see what strategies local governments can use to manage their social media records.

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