The City of Macomb recognizes the importance of social media platforms as mainstream forms of communication among residents, media outlets, government agencies, businesses and others. Using this technology, the City can use these additional avenues for the release of important information, news releases, information concerning public projects, general initiatives of the City as well as public meetings. Additionally, social media provides an additional opportunity to share information that supports the goals of the City in keeping our residents and stakeholders informed. Guidelines and Expectations. Limited Public Forum. The City’s social media accounts are limited public forums. The City does not make its social media accounts available for general public discourse, but reserves and limits the topics that may be discussed on the social media accounts. Content Restrictions. Because the communication conducted via social media constitute a limited public forum, the City reserves the right to reject or remove any content that is deemed to be in violation of this policy or any applicable law. The City reserves the right to remove inappropriate content including, without limitation, the following:
1. Comments unrelated to the purpose and topical scope of the page.
2. Defamatory, threatening or profane language or content regarding any person, group or organization.
3. Content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender or gender identification, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or any other protected class, status or characteristic.
4. Content that includes harassment or threats of violence.
5. Comments that are not topically related or out of context.
6. Sexual content or links to sexual content.
7. Solicitations of commerce.
8. Disclosure of any personally identifiable, proprietary, confidential or privileged information.
9. Information which may interfere with or compromise current investigations, police tactics and the safety and security of public safety staff and/or the public or public systems.
10. Promotion or advertisement in favor of, or in opposition to a political campaign, ballot measure or candidate, other than factual information lawfully provided by the City regarding a non-partisan ballot initiative.
11. Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity.
12. Distribution of copyrighted photographs, music, video, graphics or other content without the express permission of the copyright holder.
13. Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other person.
14. Contend that is false or any malicious statements concerning the City, or any employee thereof, or the operations of the City.
15. Repeated postings of inappropriate or inflammatory material.
16. Content that violates any law or regulation. Any content posted may be subject to public disclosure upon request. Activity on the social media pages of the City of Macomb are subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies. Emergency Notice. The City’s social media accounts are not monitored 24/7 and users are advised NOT to use the City’s social media accounts to report a crime or emergency situation. Crime reports and requests for police, fire or emergency services must be made by calling 9-1-1. Disclaimer. The City of Macomb does not endorse any position, product, business or non-official statement that may be on any of its social media sites.
