CLAY TOWNSHIP SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS POLICY
DEFINITION
Social media is defined as any web application, site or account offered by Clay Township that facilitates the sharing of opinions and information about township-related subjects and issues. PURPOSE
Clay Township offers social media tools for educational, cultural, civic and recreational purposes. These tools provide a limited (or designated) public forum to facilitate the sharing of ideas, opinions, and information about township-related subjects and issues. Clay Township social media is intended to create a welcoming and inviting online space where users can interact with other interested citizens and township staff for civic engagement. The opinions expressed by individuals using Clay Township social media, except as specifically noted, are those of the individual authors. Views presented in these forums do not necessarily represent the views or policies of, or endorsement by, Clay Township. RULES FOR COMMENTING
Please note that this is a moderated, limited forum and not a public forum. As such, Clay Township reserves the right to remove comments or content that are unlawful or off topic. Posts containing the following are against Township rules and will be deleted before posting or removed by Township staff:
1. Comments not topically related to the particular posting being commented upon;
2. Profane language or content;
3. Content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation;
4. Sexual content or links to sexual content;
5. Solicitations of commerce;
6. Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity;
7. Information that may compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems;
8. Content that violates copyright, trademark or other legal ownership interest of any other party;
9. Accusations made toward an individual that imply a particular individual is guilty of any criminal conduct or immoral activity. Defamatory material will not be permitted. If a person believes that there is a legitimate basis to make a complaint against the Township, any of its employees or any third party, then the appropriate alternative means of registering the complaint must be utilized, and these social media and web based platforms designed solely for the communication of information determined to be relevant by the Township will not be an appropriate forum for registering allegations of criminal activity or other accusations against individuals;
10. Comments promoting particular political organizations, candidates, or ballot measures;
11. Comments of any kind which specifically name or promote an individual, organization and/or business. By choosing to comment, social media users agree to the foregoing rules. The Township retains the right to restrict or remove individuals who violate these rules and/or to remove any content that is deemed is in violation of the foregoing rules or any applicable law. The Township further reserves the right to amend or modify this policy at any time.
