City of Renton Social Media Policy
The City of Renton adopted the Social Media Policy (100-03) to guide the public’s and the city’s use of city-managed social media. The solicitation of public comment on all city-managed social media sites is considered a limited public forum.
The purpose of this site is to discuss matters of public interest in and to the City of Renton as identified and raised by the city for discussion. We encourage you to submit comments that are on topic, but please address your comments to the specific topic(s) discussed. This is a forum limited to the specific topics identified and raised by the city.” Users who submit Content to this city social media site agree they have read, understand, and agree to the following terms and conditions by virtue of such use.
Terms of Use:
- I am submitting content voluntarily and on my own behalf.
- The content I post reflects my own original thoughts or work.
- I understand that the city has the right to re post or share any content, photos or videos that I submit on this or other city social media sites.
- I have read and understand the Policy, including the right of the city to remove, or archive content as described in the city’s policy and as may be allowed by law.
- I understand that any content I provide may be considered a public record” under state law.
- I understand and agree that unless specifically identified as a resource for receiving requests for information under the state public information laws, city social media sites are not proper vehicles for making requests for public information or public records under state law and any such requests must be made to the appropriate custodian of the records.
- I understand and agree that my and others’ comments are subject archiving and that my comments and others’ comments are subject to removal in whole or in part from this site if my or their comments contain:
a. Comments not directly on the topic raised for discussion
b. Obscene, indecent, or profane language, or pornographic images
c. Direct threats
d. Content that promotes discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, or gender identity
e. The solicitation, promotion or endorsement of specific commercial services, products or entities
f. Links to any site or content posted by automatic software programs i.e.”bots”)
g. The promotion or encouragement of illegal activity, personally identifiable information or sensitive personal information that if released violates federal or state law
h. The promotion or endorsement of a political campaign or candidate
i. Information that compromises the public safety or security of the public or security systems
j. Information that directly interferes or compromises ongoing investigations, public safety tactics, or the safety of public safety officers
k. Confidential or exempt information in violation of state or federal law
l. Appear to violate the intellectual property right of the city or a third party under federal or state law.
I also understand that the views and comments expressed on this site only reflect those of the comment’ s author, and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the city, its selected and appointed officers and employees or its departments and agencies.
City of Renton Social Media Posting Commenting Policy
The following policy shall govern all posts and comments by public visitors to all City of Renton Social Media sites:
Privacy policy and disclaimer
Any individual accessing, browsing, and using a City of Renton social media site as a visitor unequivocally accepts the social media policies hereafter Policies”) set forth in this document.
The City of Renton maintains the right to modify these Policies. Any modification is effective immediately upon posting the modification on the social media policy page unless otherwise stated. Continued use of a City of Renton social media site following the posting of any modification signifies acceptance of such modification.
All users of a City of Renton social media site are also subject to the site’s own Privacy Policy. City of Renton has no control over a third party site’s privacy policy or their modifications to it.
All content of this site and all comments submitted to this page are public and are subject to disclosure pursuant to the state’s Public Records Act. Please be aware that anything you post may survive deletion whether by you or others.
- Requests for emergency services should be directed to 9 1 1 not through this site.
- Individual complaints, concerns, or service requests will not be addressed via social media unless the city specifically identifies the site for that purpose.
- To protect your privacy and the privacy of others, please do not include sensitive personally identifiable information, such as social security numbers. The city hosted tools and websites should not be considered secure.
- If you have specific questions regarding a city activity or program that involves details you do not wish to share publicly, please contact the Communications Division, with contact details listed at www.rentonwa.gov.
- Posts to this site may be removed in a viewpoint neutral manner under the city’s Policy for city social media sites if allowed by law and under this policy Section 6.1.2 Right to Remove Posts that Do Not Comply with the Rules of the Limited Public Forum) and Section 6.20 Removing Content, Posts or Comments of the Public) subject to the right of appeal under Section 8.6 Right to Appeal Removal of Content or Application of this Policy to the Public) but may be preserved as a public record.
All posts and comments uploaded to City of Renton social media sites that allow posts will be periodically reviewed.
The city also reserves the right to discontinue any or all city social Media Sites at any time.
Practical and legal considerations may sometimes constrain, prevent, or prohibit discussion by the city of certain topics, including, but not limited to litigation, pending investigations, and other topics through various media including social media.
Following or friending” persons or organizations is not an endorsement by the city and is only intended as a means of communication.
Any references or links to a specific entity, product, service or organization posted by individuals on the city social media sites should not be considered an endorsement by the city or its departments or employees.
The city does not review, sponsor, or endorse any other website(s) linked to its website or to city social media sites. The views and opinions of authors expressed on those websites do not necessarily state or reflect the opinion of the city and may not be quoted or reproduced for the purpose of stating or implying any endorsement or approval of any product, person, or service by the city or its employees or agents.
The city is not responsible for content that appears on external links.
The city is not responsible for and does not guarantee the authenticity, accuracy, appropriateness or security of any link, external website or its content.
Investors determining whether to invest or continue to invest in the city’s debt offerings should not rely on information posted on the site in making their decisions to invest or not to invest; information regarding the city’s financial position is posted at www.rentonwa.gov.
Waiver of liability
Because various laws exist that create liability for various actions, including but without limitation defamation, invasion of privacy, false light, breach of contract, procurement violations, violations of due process among many potential areas of exposure for which the city accepts no responsibility based on the actions of others or for creating this social media site, I, for myself, successors and assigns, release and hold harmless and agree to indemnify the city, including its officers and employees, from any and all actions, claims, liabilities and damages of whatever kind and nature arising out of or in connection with my use of the city social media site/ account. By posting or commenting I acknowledge that I understand and accept these terms of use.
Right to appeal removal of content or application of this policy
When a post or comment has been removed, anyone aggrieved, other than an employee, may seek to have the Social Media Administrator reconsider the decision to edit or remove a comment by providing the Social Media Administrator with a written request stating the reason or reasons why the comments do not fall within those limitations established in this policy or offer other bases to establish a right to publish the comments or other communications on the city social media site.
The Social Media Administrator or other appropriate official shall strive to render a written decision on the request within one business day (excluding official city holidays) of receipt of the request noting the basis for the decision. The decision of the Social Media Administrator or other appropriate official shall be the final administrative decision of the city.
When a person other than an employee believes this policy violates their rights in ways other than included in the policy, that person may seek to have the Social Media Administrator review all or part of the policy as applicable to that person by providing the Social Media Administrator with a written request stating the reason or reasons why the policy violates the person’s rights. The Social Media Administrator shall strive to render a written decision on the request within 5 business days (excluding official city holidays) and give the bases for the decision. For good cause, the Social Media Administrator may extend the time for rendering a decision to the extent reasonably necessary. The decision of the Social Media Administrator shall be the final administrative decision of the city.
The full policy is available online.
Any questions should be directed to the Social Media Administrator at [email protected].