Question NW1046 to the Minister of Communications
09 May 2016 - NW1046
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Communications
Whether the Government Communication and Information System has a social media policy that applies to all government departments; if not, why not; if so, (a) to which government staff does the policy apply and (b) what are further relevant details; (2) does the specified policy apply to Ministers and Deputy Ministers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) will she provide a copy of the specified policy to Mr E J Marais; (4) what are the sanctions for the breach of the specified policy?
Reply:
GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GCIS)
(1) Social media is an increasingly important platform to convey government messages. Government Communication and Information System, (GCIS) has developed and published Social Media Policy Guidelines in 2011 and they are available on the GCIS website.
(a) The Socal Media Policy Guidelines apply to government employees; (b) it states in Section 3 that the policy guidelines prescribe acceptable behaviour for government employees using social media for official government purposes as well as personal use of social media by government employees.
(2) The Social Media Policy Guidelines applies to government employees.
(3) The Social Media Policy Guidelines are on the government website:
- http://www.gcis.gov.za/sites/www.gcis.gov.za/files/docs/resourcecentre/guidelines/social_media_guidelines_final_20_april2011.pdf
(4) The Social Media Policy Guidelines are designed to provide a guide on the acceptable use of Social Media by government employees and are not meant to be punitive. They should be read in conjuction with the Code of Conduct for Public Sector Employees.
MR D LIPHOKO
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE