Social Media Usage Policy
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Engaging with local users is an essential part of how Patch serves its communities. Editorial team members interact with readers every day through various forms of Patch-branded social media — Neighbor Posts on the Patch platform, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc., — to promote thoughtful dialogue in their communities.
Many Patch staffers also maintain public and private social media accounts. Through those accounts, staffers may be recognized and identifiable as professional journalists employed by Patch. Patch journalists adhere to the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, which calls on us to minimize harm, verify information shared with the public, support civil conversation (even on issues where we disagree) and avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest.
The following guidelines governing social media use were shaped in part by a team of editorial staffers, with review and revision by our legal team and editorial management.
When posting and engaging on Patch-branded social media, remember Patch journalists:
Are respectful, polite and compassionate. We try to treat readers like friends with whom we may disagree from time to time. We do not want to post anything that could purposely alienate readers regardless of their political beliefs. In short: Keep it Patchy!
Do not endorse political candidates or express personal opinions about matters on which they could be called to report.
Are mindful that the manner in which posts are framed and content shared could impact the perception of objectivity.
When posting and engaging on personal social media accounts, please keep in mind that Patch journalists:
Are encouraged to keep personal social media accounts private if expressions of personal points of view may compromise the public's perception of their ability to fairly report the news.
Are aware that anything they share online could be circulated beyond their circle of friends or followers — even if their account is locked down as private. As envoys for the company, their social media use reflects not only on them but on Patch.
Are encouraged to share personal experiences through social media, but remain respectful and aware that some readers may draw conclusions about an editor's perspective and ability to fairly cover related issues.
Understand it is their responsibility to ensure they maintain a professionally responsible social media presence on all public accounts. Public statements that damage "the Company's good will in the marketplace" could violate company policy. From the company handbook:
"Any conduct that is impermissible under the law if expressed in any other form or forum is impermissible if expressed through a blog, web page, social networking, Twitter or similar site. For example, posted material that is discriminatory, obscene, defamatory, libelous or violent is forbidden. Company policies apply equally to employee social media usage."
When in doubt, reference the SPJ Code of Ethics and consider these questions:
Does this post add to a productive discourse on the topic? Could it start an important conversation?
Have I fact-checked the information that I’m re-sharing or posting, or obtained it from a reliable source?
Could this post lead to the perception of bias among reasonable readers?
Would this give reasonable readers the opportunity to make an assumption about me that affects my credibility as a fair-minded reporter?
Could this post impact the credibility/reputation of Patch as an organization or that of my coworkers?
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