Social media is the term for internet based tools used for publishing, sharing and discussing information, and includes blogs, wikis and social networking sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn. There has been large growth in the use of these tools in recent years.

There may be uncertainty about the rights and obligations of State servants when using these tools, and about the application of the Standards of Integrity and Conduct, the code of conduct for the State Services. This guidance sets out the obligations of State servants when using social media. Nothing in this guidance modifies the Standards of Integrity and Conduct or the codes and policies of any individual agency.

State servants might use social media as either the representative of their agency making official comment or in their private capacity as a citizen.

As an agency representative

The protocols that apply when you are acting as an official representative of your agency are the same whether you are talking to the media, speaking at a conference or using social media. Good practice is to disclose your position and that you are representing your agency. You should only disclose information, make commitments or engage in activities when you are authorised to do so. You should remember that your comments will often be permanently available and able to be reproduced in other media.

In a private capacity

State servants have the same rights of free speech as other New Zealanders, but with some additional obligations. Regardless of the media being used, you must not do anything which could harm the reputation of your agency or the State services, and you must not disclose any agency material that you are not specifically authorised to disclose. Where there may be uncertainty about the capacity in which you are acting, you should make it clear to others that your contribution is as a private individual and not as a representative of your agency. You should ensure that any comment you make on matters of government policy is appropriate to the agency role you hold, and you must respect the need to maintain politically neutral State services.

Further discussion

More detailed discussion can be found in Understanding the code of conduct - Guidance for State servants, at www.ssc.govt.nz/code-guidance-stateservants. Of particular relevance is the section under the heading "Trustworthy" called "We must avoid any activities, work or non-work, that may harm the reputation of our organisation or of the State Services", and the sections under the heading "Impartial" called "We must maintain the political neutrality required to enable us to work with current and future governments" and "We must respect the authority of the government of the day". Political Neutrality is also discussed further in the guidance What is 'political neutrality' and what does it mean in practice? which can be found at www.ssc.govt.nz/political-neutrality-fact-sheet-1.

If you wish to clarify any part of this guidance please contact the State Services Commission on (04) 495 6600 or by emailing integrityandconduct@ssc.govt.nz.

You will also find guidance on the monitoring of social media at www.webstandards.govt.nz/implementing-social-media-monitoring-2/ .