Social Media Policy

Social Media Policy

To address the fast-changing landscape of the Internet and the way residents communicate and obtain information online, Harnett County departments may consider using social media tools to reach a broader audience. The use of social media by the County and County departments for business purposes can facilitate information sharing and serve outreach and communication goals. The County encourages departments to use social media to communicate their mission and messages with the public. 

The following comment policy will be displayed or linked to all authorized Harnett County social media pages. 

Harnett County social media sites are subject to the applicable public records laws. Consequently, any communication on Harnett County social media sites (whether by a County employee or the general public) is subject to monitoring and disclosure to third parties. Relevant Harnett County and North Carolina public records retention schedules apply to social networking content. Records required to be maintained pursuant to a relevant records retention schedule shall be maintained for the required retention period in a format that preserves the integrity of the original record and is easily accessible using the approved County platforms and tools.

The County reserves the right to remove any comments/postings that (i) contain unprotected speech such as obscenity, defamation, fraud, incitement, and speech integral to criminal conduct, ; (ii) are spam or contain computer viruses; (iii) advocate or depict illegal activity; (iv) target or disparage any ethnic, racial, religious, gender or other type of group; (v) compromise the safety or security of the public; (vi) promote private business ventures, services, or products; (vii) are related to campaigns for public office or promote a political organization; (viii) infringe on copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property; (ix) are not related to the County or County-related matters; (x) violent or threatening; or (xi) disclosure of confidential, sensitive or proprietary information.

Please note that the comments expressed on this site do not reflect the opinions and positions of the County of Harnett or its officers and employees. If you have any questions concerning the operation of this online moderated discussions site, please contact the County department.

View Harnett County Social Media Policy

Learn more