LEAKED: NATION MEDIA HOUSE SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES
Filed under: Ministers
GUIDELINES ON SOCIAL MEDIA USE
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These guidelines for the use of social media are intended to cover all journalists working for
NMG. They are designed to be read in conjunction with the NMG’s general Editorial Policy
Guidelines & Objectives and the Policy Guidelines for Broadcasting.
Social media platforms have become an important source of news for both the general population
and journalists alike. For journalists however, the use of social media in their working and
personal lives has a greater impact and the line between professional and personal has to be
clear. As an NMG journalist, it makes little difference whether you identify yourself on social
media as such or not since your actions will almost always be linked back to the company.
Nation Media Group journalists should always be open and transparent in their social media
dealings. The only exception to this would be where there is an over-riding public interest not to
do so e.g. if exposing the use of social media for child abuse.
Social Media and Newsgathering
The overall principle is that journalists using social networking sites as a source of news should
apply the same journalistic tests as they would to any other method of newsgathering. A tweet
is no more reliable as a source of news than a phone tip-off to the newsroom; a blog is no more
reliable than an overheard conversation.
Publishing of News Content
NMG distinguishes itself in the way news content is managed and published. Journalists must
therefore take extreme care to ensure any news they publish in social media platforms, especially
when on duty, conforms to established standards. To help protect this value, journalists are
generally discouraged from publishing news items unless the same has been approved and
published on an NMG outlet.
There will be instances where journalists are cleared by a managing editor to report directly
through their personal accounts as part of NMG’s “digital first” strategy — an example wouldbe
when a journalist is covering a fast-changing news event/story. Whenever this happens NMG’s
key news accounts will notify our social media audiences. However, this exception does not bar
journalists from using their accounts to engage audiences on news subjects already in the public
domain.
The Personal Use of Social Media
Some General Principles
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a) When NMG journalists make personal use of the Internet they must be aware of the
potential conflicts that may arise. They should do nothing that calls into question NMG’s
editorial values.
b) There should be a clear division between “Nation” pages and “personal” pages. Personal
pages should not use the Nation name or that of any publication or programme.
c) If you use the personal account in any way for work, you have to identify yourself as a
Nation Media Group employee in your profile.
d) No matter what the site, no one should disclose any information or engage in any
activities that bringNMG or its journalism into disrepute.
e) Whether on a Nation or a personal site, NMG journalists should not be seen to support
any political party or cause. Editorial staff should never indicate their political allegiance,
even if they are not identified as working for the NMG. This means that any postings
must not contain partisan political views.
No one should disclose any information that breaches commercial confidence.
g) When someone clearly identifies their association with the NMG and/or discusses their
work, they are expected to behave appropriately when on social media, and in ways that
are consistent with the Group’s editorial values and policies.
Social Networking Sites
Social networking sites provide a great way for people to maintain contact with friends.
However, through the open nature of such sites, it is also possible for third parties to collate vast
amounts of information.
All NMG staff should be mindful of the information they disclose on social networking sites.
They have to be careful of what they put on their profile and who has access to it. They should
act in a manner which does not bring NMG into disrepute.
Political Activities on Social Networking sites
Nation Media Group journalists should never indicate political allegiance on social networking
sites, either through profile information or through joining political groups on sites such as
Facebook. This is simply because it will damage the Group’s reputation as being an unbiased
source of news.
Consideration towards other members of staff when using social networking sites
Social networking sites allow photographs, videos and comments to be shared with thousands of
other users. However, it may not be appropriate to share work-related information in this way.
For example, there may be an expectation that photographs taken at a private work event or
while working with colleagues will not appear publicly on the Internet, both from those present
and perhaps even those not at the event. Staff should think carefully before posting such material
online and if they do, should remove it when requested to. Customising privacy settings on
Facebook gives you a choice as to what you share and with whom.
Personal use of social sites should not include offensive comments about colleagues or co-
workers.
Blogging, Microblogging and Tweeting
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There are two types of blogs and microblogs. The first are those which are openly identified
as Nation Media Group sites or sources (these use a Nation Media Group programme name or
brand). The second are those which are purely personal and which are not intended to reflect the
output or views of the Nation Media Group.
This guidance also applies to Nation Media Group staff use of microblogging sites, such as
Twitter.
A personal microblog shall not be used to break news that Nation Media Group has not
published or sanctioned. Exclusive content or photos should be submitted to the Group for
vetting and publishing. Nation Media Group journalists should link to content on the Group’s
and other platforms and not copy and paste on to their accounts. However, they are advised not
to link to unconfirmed posts and material as such action may be misconstrued as confirming the
facts.
Microblogs are likely to be personal in tone but they must not contain personal views which
could damage the Nation Media Group’s reputation on issues such as accuracy, impartiality or
tolerance.
Impartiality is a particular concern for all Nation Media Group journalists. Nothing should
appear on their personal blogs or microblogs which undermines the integrity or impartiality of
the Nation Media Group’s journalism. Journalists should not:
advocate support for a particular political party or candidate
express views for or against any policy which is a matter of current controversy in a
manner which would raise questions about the objectivity of their journalism or that of
the NMG
bring the Nation Media Group into disrepute
If a personal blog makes it clear that the author works for the Nation Media Group, it should
include a simple, visible and clear disclaimer such as “these are my personal views and not those
of the Nation Media Group.”
Retweets should be carefully worded not to seem like they are expressing a personal opinion.
This is very unlikely to be a problem when you are “retweeting” a colleague’s “tweet” or a Nation
headline. But in other cases, you will need to consider the risk that “retweeting” of third party
content can look like an endorsement of the original author’s point of view. Best practice is to
contextualise the retweet to create some distance from any opinion it may contain. This applies
to both Nation and personal microblogging.
Offensive Material/Tone of Voice
Incitement to violence or anti-social behaviour or comments likely to cause extreme offence, for
example racist or ethnic insults or stereotypes, should not be tolerated on a Nation Media Group
branded space on the social media. Neither should material which is clearly likely to put a child
or teenager at substantial risk of significant harm. Such material should be removed immediately.
Different social networking sites already offer different models of intervention in different
areas. Where editors are responsible for a Nation Media Group space on, for example, MySpace,
Facebook and Bebo they should become aware of how these companies normally deal with
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different forms of harmful and illegal content on their sites.
You may wish to make “friends” or accept friend requests from sources. But remember that
approving a “friend” may make other users of a site think they are trustworthy on account of the
association with you as a media employee. “Friending” and “liking” of political personalities and
causes gives the impression that you are advocating for them. Care should be taken in dealings
with such social media connections to ensure it does not lead to activity that may be deemed as
politically partisan.
However, for purely journalistic purposes, journalists can friend a newsmaker but should limit
the kind of personal information the newsmaker can access from their pages by using privacy
settings eg on Facebook. Also make sure that you limit interaction with the newsmakers on their
public pages, for instance by not commenting on their posts or joining discussions on their walls.
Editing Online Pages
Nation Media Group journalists should not edit pages that relate to controversial issues or
campaigns as this can be traced back to them and to the Nation Media Group.
Posted on February 14th, 2012 by admin
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