The purpose of the TWRA social media accounts is to serve as professional, family-friendly outlets which promote the state agency’s laws, programs, events, and community outreach efforts. Please know that all messages sent or received by TWRA are considered public record and are subjectable to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). By commenting in the TWRA public forums, you are taking personal responsibility for your comments and any information you provide. Your participation also represents your agreement to abide by the following terms of use:
Reporting Criminal Activity:
TWRA social media platforms shall not be utilized as a method for reporting suspected criminal activity. This is to ensure the safety of users and not to put them at risk by reporting potential crimes in a public forum. However, any report through social media, public or private, can be used in court. To report poaching, littering, boating, hunting, or fishing violations, call one of the following hunting, fishing, or boating violation tip lines. Middle Tennessee - 1-800-255-8972
c. Cumberland Plateau - 1-833-402-4699
d. East Tennessee - 1-800-831-1174
Limited Public Forum:
TWRA acknowledges a person’s right to express opinions and ask questions, and TWRA welcomes users to do so in a respectful manner. As such, the publication of content submitted by users does not imply TWRA endorsement, nor does it necessarily reflect the views and policies of TWRA. Content is defined as comments, graphics, videos, photos, written copy, live streams, or any other form of communicative content made available by the user that can be seen by other parties. The posting of content in any of the public forums hosted by TWRA (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or other platforms) by visitors, fans, subscribers, or followers constitutes an acceptance of the terms outlines in this policy. Content Moderation:
Social media followers are welcome to interact with both TWRA and other users on TWRA social media pages provided the content is respectful and relevant to the topic at hand. Agency social media platforms are intended to be familyfriendly; therefore, the agency’s communication team monitors content and reserves the right to hide or delete inappropriate content and/or remove or ban persons who troll, or who post disrespectful, profane, or otherwise inappropriate language or material. The agency adheres to U.S. Supreme Court guidance on content removal as defined below:
a. Obscene, profane, pornographic, or vulgar language or images
b. Content promoting/fostering discrimination on the basis of race, age, religion, gender,
c. National origin, creed, or color
d. Threats, personal attacks, or defamatory statements
e. Content that could compromise the safety of the public
f. Content that could compromise law enforcement investigations or the safety of officers
g. Advocacy for violence or any kind of illegal activity
h. Personal information including but not limited to addresses and telephone numbers
i. Content violating the right to privacy
j. Advertisements or solicitations of any kind
k. Links to external sites
l. Infringement on copyrights or trademarks
User Access Denial:
a. TWRA reserves the right to deny access to any TWRA social media sites for any users who repeatedly violate these terms of use at any time. Warnings will be issued before an individual is removed. To contest the removal or hiding of your content from a TWRA social media page, or to contest your denial of access to a TWRA social media platform, email [email protected]. All content posted to TWRA Facebook and Instagram pages is bound by Facebook Community Standards. TWRA reserves the right to report violations of these standards to Facebook with the intent that Facebook will take necessary action. Facebook Community Standards:
All content posted to TWRA pages is bound by Facebook Community Standards.
