Social Media Policy

Moderation of Third-Party Content
 

All content published on City of Amesbury social media accounts is subject to monitoring. User-generated posts or comments may be rejected or removed (if possible) when the content:

  • is off-subject or out of context
  • contains obscenity or material that appeals to the prurient interest
  • contains personal identifying information or sensitive personal information
  • is threatening, harassing or discriminatory
  • incites or promotes violence or illegal activities
  • contains information that reasonably could compromise individual or public safety
  • advertises or promotes a commercial product or service, or any entity or individual
  • promotes or endorses political campaigns or candidates
  • compromises the privacy of public safety officials
  • contains links to phishing content or other content designed to compromise security
  • promotes or publishes the identity of a Town employee without their approval
     

In the best interest of the constituent, content on each social media site is designed chiefly to provide information and help fulfill service requests.

Any inclusion of third-party hyperlinks, images, applications, or references on the site does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the City of Amesbury. Their inclusion is simply to provide users with relevant information and resources.

The City of Amesbury does not, unless required by law, share personally identifying information with any third party.

Public Records Law

City created social media sites may be subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law. Content received by or maintained in any City social media account may be a public record. The City of Amesbury is responsible for responding completely and accurately to any public records request for social media content published by the City.

For a more complete discussion of the implications of the Public Records Law for social media, please refer to Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Secretary of State's Office Guide to the Public Records Law (PDF), which includes FAQs as well as the text of the statute.