CSB warns against misuse of social media

The Civil Service Bureau yesterday urged government entities to take appropriate measures against the misuse of social media by employees while reviewing the guidelines set the authority. Terming the approach, practiced by the Kingdom in this regard as civilized, the bureau said, “Kingdom’s approach does not infringe on the freedom of opinion and expression.”

The opinions expressed on these platforms “represent only their owners and not the position of their employer in the public sector,” the bureau said. The meeting was held in the presence of Assistant Under-secretaries, Directors of Human Resources and Directors of Media and Communications in the public sector.

Functional behavior in dealing with social networking platforms was discussed during the meeting, which also shed light on the guidelines to use social networks in government entities. CSB recommended public officials to exercise ‘highest ethical standards’ on social media platforms and to use it “with tact, wisdom, and objectivity”. The meeting reminded that personal use should not harm the reputation of the government or any other entity.