Town of Fairview External Social Media Policy
Town of Fairview External Social Media Policy
The Town of Fairview uses Social Media as a supplemental form of communication to the public. Town staff makes every effort to ensure the information we share is accurate; however, assessing accuracy and reliability of information is the sole responsibility of the User. The Town’s website, FairviewTexas.org, and Everbridge Nixle remain the official sources for all Town news, information and service alerts.
Requests for emergency services should be directed to 9-1-1, not through Social Media.
Use of Town Social Media implies user’s acknowledgement and acceptance of Town Social Media Policies.
Definitions for this policy:
Comment: A published response, written or otherwise, to a Post or previous Comment on Social Media.
Obscene: Content not protected by the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech; and the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest.
Town Social Media (also referred to as “Town Social Media Account”): Social Media authorized by the Town Manager or his or her designee for the purpose of enhancing communication with the public on behalf of the Town.
Post: Content that is created and published or shared on Social Media.
Social Media (also referred to as “Social Media Accounts”): The various electronic communication systems established for the purposes of mass communications and/or social networking, including third-party platforms and services.
Town Social Media Policies: All Town policies relating to Social Media, including but not limited to, this policy, Section 6.12 of the Town of Fairview Personnel Policy Manual, Ordinance No. 2025-13, as amended, and any future Social Media-related policies, as may be amended.
User or Users: An individual or individuals who access information provided by the Town of Fairview through Social Media.
Comment moderation:
To help keep discussions on-topic and neighborly, the Town of Fairview reserves the right to hide, reject or remove Comments that:
Are of a repetitive or “spamming” nature (the same Comment or content provided multiple times, either on the same Post or on multiple Posts belonging to the Town- Are off-topic or out of context
- Promote, endorse or solicit commercial services, products or any entity or individual
- Contain threatening, harassing, violent, Obscene, discriminatory, or pornographic content and/or language
- Promote discrimination against state and/or federal protected classes
- Promote or encourage illegal activity
- Contain information that may compromise public safety or the security of Town systems
- Contain information that directly interferes with or compromises ongoing investigations, public safety tactics, or the safety of public safety officers
- Contain personally identifiable information or sensitive personal information that, if released, violates state or federal law
- Contain defamatory content
- Promote or endorse political campaigns or candidates
- Contain links (to protect against potential malware risks and fraudulent activity)
- Violate the legal ownership interest of another party
- Are deemed by the Town Manager or his or her designee(s) to include content that is inconsistent with Town policies or in violation of applicable federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. If technologically feasible, a copy of Town Social Media Policies or a link to said policies will be included on Town Social Media Accounts.
All Comments are public and are likely subject to public disclosure. Commenting on Town Social Media is at your own risk, and Users are personally responsible for their Comments, photos, username, and any other information provided. The views and Comments expressed on Social Media only reflect those of the Comment’s author and do not necessarily reflect the official view of the Town of Fairview, its elected or appointed officials and employees, or its departments.
We understand that Social Media is a 24/7 medium; however, our moderation capabilities are not. We may not see every Comment right away and trust in our community to ignore personal attacks and negative speech and/or respond politely. The Town reserves the right to block or mute Users on Town Social Media who violate Town Social Media Policies.
Responses by town staff to User Comments and messages, when determined appropriate, are intended to direct Users to the appropriate page(s) on the Town’s official website(s) or the appropriate member(s) of town staff in order to provide additional information, answer questions, or correct misinformation. Town Social Media Accounts are not intended to be used for ongoing conversations between members of town staff and Users.
Posts and Comments made by the town staff on Town Social Media shall adhere to Town Social Media Policies, as well as applicable federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.
Linking:
Links from Town Social Media to Social Media, websites or any other electronic media not operated by the Town do not constitute or imply endorsement by the Town of those electronic media, their content, or products and services. Additional Town policies related to linking are located within Ordinance No. 2025-13. The Town reserves the right to remove links provided by Users on Town Social Media.
Privacy notification:
Posts and Comments on Town Social Media are public and may be viewed by all visitors. Therefore, Users should be careful about including any private or personally identifiable information Comments. If you need to include private or personally identifiable information in your communications, please contact the Town of Fairview directly. Additional Town policies related to privacy are located within Ordinance No. 2025-13.
Public information:
Comments on Town Social Media are considered public records and likely are subject to disclosure, in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act. Public information requests will be handled in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act.
Records retention:
Comments on Town Social Media are considered public records subject to Texas records retention requirements and shall be retained and archived to the extent required.
Third-party website/application policies:
Town Social Media is owned and hosted by third parties, and in addition to Town Social Media Policies, the use of Town Social Media is governed by the respective privacy policies and terms of service of those third parties. Third parties that own and host Social Media utilized by the Town may take actions not addressed by Town Social Media Policies or within the Town’s control relating to a User’s Comment(s) or other activities on Town Social Media.
Questions?
All inquiries related to this policy should be directed to Social@FairviewTexas.org.
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