Media Policy

(Redirected from Media policy)

Draft media policy

Introduction

The board recognises the importance of dealing with the media in a professional and ethical manner, and of building and protecting the chapter's public reputation via the media. The chapter's members are encouraged to participate in public debate and to share their knowledge and expertise regarding free culture and Wikimedia and its projects with the media.

Purpose

This policy provides the board and membership with a framework for interaction between the chapter and the media.

Policy and procedure

Communication with the media generally falls under two categories: chapter communication and private individual communication.

Official chapter communication

  1. The board is responsible for making statements and releasing press releases on behalf of Wikimedia Australia.
  2. In some instances the board may delegate this responsibility to an appropriate agent.
  3. It is important that board members distinguish between requests to comment in an official or private capacity; if unsure, comments should be requested from other board members, via the board's mailing list.

Private individual communication

Wikimedia Australia's members are encouraged to participate in a personal capacity in public debate and to share their knowledge and expertise regarding free culture and Wikimedia and its projects with the media.

  1. Members of the chapter, including committee members, have the right to engage with the media and to freely express their opinions in their private capacity as individual members of the community.
  2. Unless a chapter member is speaking to the media in the capacity of an official position within the chapter or as a delegated representative, members making public comments must not in any way indicate or imply that they are speaking on behalf of the chapter.
  3. When making private individual comments, board members must be clear that they are speaking in a personal capacity and not as a representative of the chapter.
  4. Board members engaging with the media in a personal capacity should ensure at all times that the confidentiality and integrity of the board is maintained at all times.
  5. Board members engaging with the media are expected to declare any conflict of interest that may arise in the course of their involvement with the media.
  6. This policy does not otherwise restrict the rights of any chapter member to engage with the media.

Social media

Chapter members, including members of the board, are encouraged to publish or comment via social media, including blogs, social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. The media policy also applies to the use of social media and commentary on social media, which carries similar responsibilities to any other kind of publication or commentary.

Definitions

  • Media: The term "media" includes all forms of print, radio, television and electronic media.

Administration of this policy

The board is responsible for the administration and management of this policy, and for future amendments where necessary.

Discuss this page