Despite the obvious benefits of Web 2.0, the largely unregulated world of social media also poses some unique challenges for companies concerned about a host of issues ranging from legal liability to corporate branding.
What to do? In The e-Policy Handbook, Nancy Flynn recommends a formal blogging policy with clearly defined rules like these:
Institute safeguards for trade secrets and corporate relationships. Don't assume an employee knows which content is—and is not—fair game for a blog post.
Prohibit anonymous blogging. "Anonymity creates an atmosphere in which some people might be tempted to write in an irresponsible, offensive harassing, defamatory, or otherwise inappropriate manner," she says. "It also runs counter to the blogosphere's honest and transparent nature."
Provide guidance on media inquiries. Many journalists will contact bloggers in the course of writing a story. According to Flynn, a common corporate policy asks bloggers to direct all media inquiries to the organization's public-relations department.
The Po!nt: "Put best practices to work by focusing on the 3-Es of blog risk management," says Flynn. "Establish policy, educate employees and enforce policy with discipline and monitoring technology."
Source: The e-Policy Handbook. Click here for more information.
by Christina "CK" Kerley
Comments
by Lorre Zuppan Thu Mar 5, 2009
I hope Ms. Flynn is referring to those who blog for and within the company in their employee role, and not attempting to regulate speech and self-expression otuside of the workplace. It's not clear here or any the promo link for her handbook. The way it's described, it strikes me that it could be a bit Big Brother-esque, and more likely to generate problems than avoid them.
Revealing confidential information is more appropriately addressed in policies about confidentiality in general. As for the rest, it's better for companies to behave in a manner commenserate with the message they want communicated. While policy can be an important communication tool, when you find yourself communicating policy at such a detailed level, leadership is the more likely answer.
Unanonymously,