Social Media Policy at the Department of Justice
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From: Department of Justice
- Published on: 18 November 2019
- Last updated on: 13 November 2024
< Additional Information < Social Media Policy at the Department of Justice
This is the social media policy for the Department of Justice. The purpose of this policy is to explain how we use our social media platforms to interact with members of the public.
The Department of Justice social media channels allow us to connect with citizens in a timely and efficient manner. It is a way for us to share news and information easily and quickly.
Our social media platforms are not intended as a way of contacting the Minister or Department directly, or as a way of submitting press queries.
Contact details for the Department of Justice Press and Communications Office are available here: Contact the Department of Justice
The Government Press Office can be contacted here: Press & Media Contacts
Our use of social media is also not intended for queries relating to passports, visas, grants, applications, or courts services.
Please go to our website for more details on Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Justice
Platforms
The Department uses a number of social media platforms to communicate about our work. The platforms currently in use are: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (Formerly Twitter) and YouTube.
Staff
The accounts are managed by Department of Justice staff. The staff who work on these accounts adhere to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.
Content
When following our social media accounts, you can expect information covering some or all of the following:
- Press releases, news and statements relating to the activities of the Department of Justice.
- Event information and live updates of events, including photography and video.
- Communications around Department of Justice information campaigns
- Live streams of press conferences and events on occasion
- Emergency communications
Availability & Interaction
Social media platforms may occasionally be unavailable, and we accept no responsibility for lack of service due to such downtime.
We update and monitor our social media accounts during normal office hours Monday to Friday. We may also update and monitor the accounts outside of these hours at our own discretion.
While we do monitor these social media accounts we do not reply to comments or direct messages. To contact the department please use the above official channels.
Comments posted and messages received through our social platforms are the views of individuals and do not represent the views of the Government or the Department.
While we welcome comments and participation on our socials, we do not accept responsibility for the content of any comment and reserve the right to remove comments that:
- Contain abusive, obscene, indecent or offensive language, or link to obscene or offensive material
- Constitute spam or promote or advertise products
- Are designed to cause nuisance to the page administrator or other users
Abuse, hate or spam may result in individuals being blocked, their messages / comments being removed and / or reported directly to the platform in question. If the comments and messages are threatening or abusive in nature they will be reported directly to An Garda Síochána.
Sharing Requests
Our department receives numerous requests to share external content. However, in alignment with our communications goals, we are committed to adhering to our own messaging framework. Consequently, we will limit the sharing of external materials to ensure clarity and cohesion in our communications. We will occasionally share materials from other Government Departments, justice sector agencies, and partner organisations.
Copyright
Material featured on our social media channels may be subject to Government copyright, according to the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000. Where this material is being issued to others, the source (including URL) and copyright status must be acknowledged.
The permission to reproduce Government copyright material does not extend to any material on this channel which may be the property of a third party. Authorisation to reproduce such material must be obtained from the copyright holders concerned.
Instagram / Facebook
If you follow us, you can expect posts covering:
- News, information campaigns and event coverage
- Other photos, videos and content as deemed appropriate
YouTube
When visiting our YouTube channel, you can expect videos about:
- Information on latest campaigns
- Coverage of events
- Information on history and work of the department
- Other content as deemed appropriate
- Comments are generally disabled on our YouTube videos.
This page will primarily be used as a space to advertise our latest jobs. However, it will also be used to share information on:
- Notices or announcements to the public
- Surveys or consultations
- Other photos, videos and content as deemed appropriate
X (Formerly Twitter) & Threads
If you follow us, you can expect posts covering some of the following:
- Press releases, news and statements relating to the activities of the Department of Justice.
- Emergency communications
- Replies on X are disabled on our posts by default.