Social Media Policy
Social Media Platforms and Policies
Westside Journalism Accounts General Guidelines
Information posted on social media platforms should be held to the same standard as all other reporting in terms of information gathering and fact checking.
The official social media accounts should avoid biased promotion of events and remain objective, reporting what is fact.
Content posted by specific clubs’ accounts promoting events may be shared by the Westside Journalism accounts on a fair basis.
Information gained through social media channels should be verified through multiple sources or by confirming a source’s validity before passing it along on a social media account. In breaking news situations, extreme caution will be exercised and speculation will never be published. Staff members posting from these accounts should make every effort to have a school administrator as a source in a situation where a breaking news event pertains directly to the school.
Audience engagement through social media should be done in a professional manner and use proper grammar and AP style.
Mistakes made on social media posts should be corrected as soon as possible and any deleted posts should be acknowledged in subsequent postings. [correction] should be used after deleted or correction posts.
In the event that a personal post is inadvertently posted from a Media account, it will be immediately deleted. It will be acknowledged if deemed necessary by the Editorial Board.
Opinions should be avoided in all social media updates except for those promoting an opinion piece.
If a user outside of the department threatens or causes an academic disruption through his/her social media account because of an update from Westside Journalism, they will be blocked from our updates and reported to the appropriate assistant principal.
All photos should have photo credit.
All media accounts should be updated daily.
Twitter @westsidewired
The main audience for the staff Twitter account is current students and faculty
Post a minimum of 2 updates per day
No first person pronouns can be used (our team, we, us, etc…)
All updates must be professional and promote information for the current student year on stories that pertain to students
Retweets are allowed from other organizations to promote information
We do not tag students in updates unless you tag photographers for photography credit
The account will not reply to hate updates or opinions that @westsidewired is tagged in
The account does not follow back student accounts who follow us
The main audience for the staff Instagram account is current students
At least one post per day
First person pronouns may be used (our team, we, us, etc…)
The tone is a more relaxed tone
This account doesn’t like followers’ photos
We do not tag students in updates
The account will not reply to hate updates or opinions that it is tagged in
The main audience for the staff Facebook account is past students and parents
Updates as new stories appear on Wired and information students deem necessary for the Facebook audience comes up.
All updates must be professional and promote information for the current student (headlines from the newspaper, announcements, yearbook sales, etc…)
The tone is a more serious, adult, professional tone
We do not tag personal accounts in updates
The account WILL reply to questions or clarification
The account WILL follow back students/accounts who follow us
Personal Social Media Usage
Staff members and editors should always refer to the Westside Journalism policy manual for basic expectations and code of conduct.
When a student discusses Westside Journalism or publication matters on social media, he/she be positive and professional toward the publication and its readers.
Appropriate personal social media will be used to promote the publications, to promote published content and to engage the Westside community.
Always tag @westsidewired for all post and all social media outlets when discussing journalism items. Staff members are not allowed to self-promote their works without credit or mention of the department and tagging @westsidewired.
Media students are strongly encouraged to use social media when representing the department. Updating on a personal level rids the “they” feeling to the department and gives a face to who we are. It also shows the hard work we’re doing behind the scenes.
The Internet never forgets. This means everything published will be visible to the world for a very, very long time. Common sense is a huge factor. If you are about to publish something that makes you even the slightest bit uncomfortable, review. If you are still unsure, and it is related to the department and its publications contact an adviser or editor.
Just because information is on the internal network (like the staff emails, name book, and other documents), it is not ok to publicize on social media. Please act responsibly with the information you are entrusted with. This could become a legal matter.
Media students can be placed on probation for violating these policies.
Messages from the advisers and editors to all staff members are not meant for the World Wide Web or even discussion with friends and are not to be published on social media as screenshots
Do not comment on journalism related matters unless you are an official social media director.
Do not reply to others’ comments about the department or its publications. Retaliation is never OK.
Respect your audience. Don’t use ethnic slurs, personal insults, obscenity, or engage in any conduct that would not be acceptable being published.
Using your public voice to trash or embarrass the department or Westside Journalism, your readers, your co-workers or even yourself is not acceptable – and not very smart. You may be removed from staff for this.
Have you posted something that just wasn’t true? Be the first to respond to your own mistake.
Be aware that others will associate you with Westside Journalism. Please ensure that your Facebook, Linked-in, Instagram, SnapChat or Twitter profile and related content is consistent with how you wish to present yourself and colleagues. Remember: THE INTERNET IS FOREVER. Nothing is ever truly gone, even "deleted" content.
Know that what clothes you are wearing, what drinks your holding and actions you are portraying say more than words you type.