The government issued a social media directive yesterday for public servants, who now have to follow certain social norms and customs while using social media networking sites. The directive was issued by the Cabinet Division. Officials have been encouraged to use social media to highlight their achievements at work while being mindful of the service conduct rules. The directive states that 42 per cent of the global population use the Internet and 29 per cent use social media sites. In Bangladesh, almost 80 per cent Internet users are active on social media sites. More than 800 government offices use these sites for official purposes. The number of social media users will increase in future.
The guidelines were thus issued to ensure proper usage of social network. It stipulate that no personal name or position can be used for opening the account or page of any organisation. Instead, an individual or an admin panel with three to five members can be appointed to operate the organisation’s official pages on social media. According to the guidelines, officials may use social network for seven different official purposes—internal communication, troubleshooting, spreading public awareness, facilitating public service, decision-making and policy-making, ensuring public-friendly administration, and resolving complaints. Public servants should avoid uploading any content that propagates sentiments against national unity or spreads hatred towards any religious or ethnic community. The guidelines, however, do not include any instructions about the personal accounts of public servants on social media beyond asking them to act responsibly online, be cautious about online friends and contents, and avoid unnecessary tagging and referencing.