Statement of Purpose
The City of Zion recognizes that social media services, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, have become increasingly common forms of communication among residents, media outlets, government agencies, businesses and others. The use of such technology has provided the City with additional avenues by which to share news releases, inform the public about initiatives and highl
ight events and positive media coverage. Additionally, social media provides the ability to share other information that supports the goals and mission of the City and provides a means by which the City can interact with residents, visitors, media, local business owners and people who work in the City. Guidelines and Expectations
“Social media account” shall mean any of the City of Zion’s accounts on any social media website including, but not limited to, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, or any other online services through which the City interacts with residents and other stakeholders. The City does not make its social media accounts available for general public discourse, but rather reserves and limits the topics that may be discussed on the social media accounts. CONTENT RESTRICTIONS
Because communication via social media constitutes a limited public forum, the City reserves the right to reject or remove (if possible) any content that is deemed in violation of this policy or any applicable law. Any of the following forms of content posted on the City’s social media account shall not be allowed and shall be subject to removal:
1. Comments unrelated to the purpose and topical scope of the page.
2. Defamatory, threatening or profane language.
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, or any other legally protected group or class.
4. Sexual content or links to sexual content.
5. Solicitations of commerce.
6. Personally identifiable information, such as an address, phone number, social security number or other sensitive information.
7. Information which may interfere with or compromise current investigations, police tactics and the safety or security of public safety staff and/or the public or public systems.
8. Promotion or advertisement in favor of, or in opposition to a political campaign, ballot measure or candidate.
9. Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity.
10. Distribution of copyrighted photographs, music, video, graphics or other content without the express permission of the copyright holder. CONTENT REMOVAL
Content that is deemed not suitable for posting by the administrators of the City’s social media accounts based on the criteria defined above, shall be retained by staff pursuant to the records retention schedule in the form of a screen capture along with a description of the reason the specific content was rejected. The comment will then be removed, as technology allows, from the City’s social media account(s). NOTICE
Users of and visitors to the City’s social media accounts shall be notified that the intended purpose of the account is to serve as a mechanism for communication of City news, services and events and that it is a limited public forum. By posting or commenting, users agree to the terms of use outlined in this policy, which will be posted to the City’s website and linked to, as technology allows, from each of the City’s social media accounts. TIME OF USE
The City of Zion’s social media accounts are not monitored on a continuous basis, and as such, user should not expect immediate responses. Accounts are traditionally monitored during normal business hours, designated as weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
The City does not accept Freedom of Information Act requests via any social media account. Such requests may be filed in person or via US mail at the City Hall, 2828 Sheridan Road, Zion, Illinois, or via the City website (www.cityofzion.com). EMERGENCY NOTICE
As the City’s social media accounts are not monitored on a continuous basis, 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 medical assistance must be made by dialing 9-1-1. This policy will be reviewed, at a minimum, annually by the City Administrator's Office and will be updated as necessary.
