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BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBER SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
This policy and its provisions apply to and serve as a guide to all City board and committee
members that distribute information regarding City business on any social media platforms.
Board and committee members are hereby referred to as mem_bers_for the rPmainder of this
---policy. - - ----
Social media are various forms of user -created content tools such as social networks, blogs,
video sharing, pod casts, wills, message boards and online forums. Technologies Include, but
are not limited to: picture and video sharing, wall postings, e-mail, instant messaging, and
music sharing. Examples of social media applications include, but are not limited to: Google
and Yahoo Groups; Wikipedia; Facebook and MySpace; YouTube; Flickr; Twitter and LindedIn.
All members are subject to the Sunshine Law and shall not engage in on-line discussions
concerning matters which may foreseeable come before them for action.
The Attorney General in AGO 2009-19 (dated April 23, 2009) opined that websites and social
media are subject to the Sunshine Law as well as the Public Records Act. Accordingly, members
are encouraged to refrain from making any comment on social media or external Internet sites
related to a matter of public business that may be pending before the board or may reasonably
be understood to potentially come up in the future because of the substantial risk that other
members of the same body or authority may be online and may inadvertently respond to such
communication, thereby establishing a "meeting" outside of the requirements of the Sunshine
Law.
All members shall understand the perception of their association with the City as it relates to
online social networks. If a member identifies him/herself as a member or has a public -facing
position for which his/her association with the City is known to the general public, the member
shall ensure his/her profile and related content (even if it is personal and not of an official
nature) is consistent with how he/she wishes to present him/herself as a City of Sebastian
professional, appropriate with the public trust expected of his/her position.
Members should remain focused on the City's mission, values and customer service. Do not
publish or report on conversations that are Intended to be pre -decisional or internal to the City
unless management has authorized the release of such information.
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A violation of the Sunshine Law is a misdemeanor of the second degree, 60 days in jail and/or
up to $500 fine for each violation. An unintentional violation may be prosecuted as a
noncriminal infraction resulting in a civil penalty up to $500.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, you are encouraged to contact the City Manager
or City Attorney.
I, rD61 atgO P• NCRLIN 6nderstand the terms of this policy and agree to abide by
them.
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