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<br />For instance, the elected official who essentially is called an "idot" or some other baited term, <br />should ignore the comment regardless of whether it happens in the social media realm or not, <br />and regardless of who says it. Responding to such comments only serves to inflame <br />discussions, makes all the participants look silly and petty, and casts a long shadow on the <br />view the public has of the city and its elected leaders. Elected officials should seek to elevate <br />conversation, and to be leaders by being respectful, thoughtful and open-minded. <br /> <br />Mind the law, existing city policies and guidelines. Elected officials who use personal social <br />media accounts are not immune from the law, or from the need to follow existing city policies <br />related to electronic communication among council members, and guidelines related to use of <br />city-owned technology. In addition, any information posted or responded to by elected officials <br />should be done so in a manner that does not violated the letter or spirit of the Open Meeting <br />Law. Remember, two way communications amongst elected officials should be strictly <br />avoided due the possibilities of serial meetings in <br />violation of the Open Meeting Law. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Elected officials should be encouraged not upload, post, <br />transmit or make available content known to be false, <br />misleading or fraudulent. They should be encouraged not <br />to post photos that infringe on trademark, copyright or <br />patent rights of others. <br /> <br />Elected officials never have the right to post non-public <br />and confidential information such as information related <br />to coworkers, personnel data, medical information, claims <br />or lawsuits against the city. <br /> <br />f7 <br /> <br />Your LMC Resource <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />General questions about social <br />media can be directed to <br />Stephanie Weiss, public relations <br />consulting manager, at (651) 215- <br />4039 or (800) 925-1122. Email can <br />be sent to sweiss@lmc.org. <br /> <br />Legal questions can be directed to <br />the Research Department at (651) <br />281-1200 or (800) 925-1122. <br />~ A <br /> <br />Elected officials should not use city-owned equipment to post to personal sites content that <br />violates existing city policies, that exhibits hate, bias, discrimination, pornography, libelous or <br />otherwise defamatory content. <br /> <br />Elected officials should be encouraged to post to personal sites only that content which is <br />suitable for readers and viewers of all ages. <br /> <br />. Stop discussing city issues if asked to do so by the City. There may be instances in which an <br />elected official should not comment on city issues. This could occur, for example, ifthe <br />discussion might violate laws, regulations or confidentiality, or if a claim or lawsuit has been <br />filed against the city. <br /> <br />. Contact by media. Elected officials who are contacted by the media on a topic of official city <br />business should follow city media relations/communications protocols. <br /> <br />Stephanie Weiss 09/09 <br /> <br />Page 12 of 12 <br />