Heartfile+Social+Media+Policy+(Draft)

=Heartfile Social Media Policy (DRAFT)=

This policy governs the use of social media by Heartfile, as an organization and its employees, governing entities and consultants. For the purposes of this policy, social media means any facility for online publication and commentary, including but not limited to blogs, wiki's, social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Flicker, and YouTube. This policy is an adjunct to the Heartfile Information Communication Technology policy and embraces the same values and principles.

This policy will be in effect in the overall context of the existing employment-related contractual agreements of Heartfile’s full and part time employees, and its governing board. These functionaries are bound by virtue of their contractual agreements with the organization to use the Heartfile identity on social media in the case of an affiliation being required. Personal social media pages can be maintained, but the overall activity which is enabled with such social media presence will be governed by the contracts the employees and other functionaries have with Heartfile.

As part of this policy:
 * Heartfile will use social media channels for its communication drive as part of its overall policy advocacy strategy
 * publication and commentary on social media carries similar obligations as any other kind of publication or commentary
 * users of social media must follow the same ethical standards, as practiced for the organization
 * assistance in setting up and use of social media accounts and their settings fall under the purview of Heartfile's IT department, for which specific authorization has to be sought
 * Heartfile Employees, consultants and governing board are bound by confidentiality clauses in their respective agreements, whilst using social media
 * privacy settings on social media platforms will be established with a view to limit viewing of personal or classified information
 * anonymous blogging with pseudonyms or false screen names, will not be permissible and full disclosure will be encouraged in case of potential conflict of interest
 * the use of laws governing copyright and fair use or fair dealing of copyrighted material owned by others, including Heartfile’s own copyrights and brands, will be promoted
 * the presence on social media will be apolitical and views and opinions will not be attributed to the organization
 * a third party will not cited without prior written approval and
 * Statements and positions will be evidence based, knowledge driven, standards compliant and factual in nature—defamatory remarks, erroneous and inflammatory statements will not be acceptable.