MoPA issues directives regarding social media usage by govt officials

The Ministry of Public Administration (MoPA) has issued directives regarding usage of personal and official social media accounts of government officials

Civil servants have been instructed to follow the "social media usage guidelines in government offices – 2019 (revised edition)", provided by the cabinet division, to help raise awareness regarding social media platforms and ensuring its proper usage said a government circular issued on Thursday.

The dos and don'ts regarding social media usage as well as instructions regarding ensuring proper security and privacy have also been provided in the guidelines.

According to the guidelines, civil servants must refrain from sharing posts as well as uploading photos, audios and videos, and will also not like, comment or share such things that might tarnish the image of the government or the nation.

Information that might go against national unity and consciousness cannot be posted in social media platforms as well.

Civil servants must not post such things that might go against the principles of secularism and can hurt religious sentiment of people.

No social media posts can be given which disrespect any important national personality, organisation, service or occupation.

The government guidelines also instructed government officials not to post anything sexist or things that instigate gender discrimination.

No such writing, photo, video or audio can be posted online that creates public resentment or anger.

Government officials cannot provide baseless, false and obscene information online.

They have been instructed not to publish any information, photo, audio or video online that disrespects any nation or any important foreign national.

In case of social media management, the ministry has urged government officials to remain cautious regarding content and social media friend selections. They have been asked to avoid any unnecessary tag, reference or shares in social media.

Misuse of social media platforms, and finding any harmful content in the social media accounts of government officials will result in necessary legal action against that official.