The handbook, created by Stoke on Trent City Council and aimed at local councillors, is designed to help councillors from making public gaffes via social media that could reflect badly upon the council. Many local organisations are likely to sit up and take note of this now that the use of social media is becoming more widespread, and some may choose to produce their own handbooks using local brochure printers. Stoke on Trent City Council’s social media guidelines give tips on which topics to avoid, and they also ask councillors to avoid using the council logo online.
Jonathan Westlake is a social media expert and lecturer at the University of Staffordshire. He recently commented on the council’s decision to publish a social media policy handbook, saying:
“A social media policy is the right step but the danger is that it will kill off the innovation and spontaneity.
“There is also the danger of what an individual has said being misconstrued as the whole organisation's view. The positive side is that it's communication, and any medium to encourage that has to be good.”
The Chief Executive of Stoke on Trent City Council said:
“The aim is to provide guidelines for staff and councillors who wish to set up accounts to promote the work of departments or projects. It is the actions of a good council to be responsible for its housekeeping and management of practices.”
The Stoke on Trent City Council social media guidelines are available online for members of the public who wish to read them.