Future Proof – Protecting our digital future

1. Principles of Participation

The following principles are to be followed when participating in the Future Proof blog.

Be Credible
Be accurate, fair, thorough and transparent

Be Consistent
Encourage constructive criticism and deliberation. Be cordial, honest and professional at all times.

Be Responsive
When you gain insight, share it where appropriate

Be Integrated
Wherever possible, align online participation with other offline communications

Be a public servant
Remember that you are a representative for your organisation.

Remember your Code of Conduct
Your organisation’s code of conduct applies to your participation online as a public servant or when discussing government business. You should participate in the same way as you would with other media or public forums.
Never give out your personal details such as home address and phone numbers. Where possible please disclose your position within your organisation.
Always remember that your participation online will result in your comments being permanently available and open to being republished in other media. Stay within the legal framework and be aware that libel, defamation, copyright and data protection laws apply. Please do not disclose information, make commitments or engage in activities on behalf of your organisation unless you are authorised to do so.

(These principles are based on the UK Cabinet Office, Participation Online: Guidance for Civil Servants. Accessed 23 September 2008 at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/iam/codes/social_media/participation.asp )

2. Acceptable Use Policy

Please be aware that all posts to the Future Proof blog will be subject to moderation by the blog’s administrators. Where a blog does not comply with the Acceptable Use Policy it will not be available on the blog site.

State Records moderates all posts to the blog before they appear. This may result in an interruption to the flow of discussion; however State Records endeavours to review all posts within the shortest period of time possible.

The Acceptable Use Policy is to maintain a positive environment for the Future Proof Blog where people are able to publicly contribute their views without fear of abuse of harassment.

When contributing to the blog, please ensure you:
• Protect your personal privacy and that of others
• Post material to the forum that is relevant to the issues available
• Represent your own views and do not impersonate or falsely represent any other person
• Are not abusive or threatening to others
• Do not make defamatory or libellous comments
• Do not use obscene, hateful, insulting, provocative or offensive language
• Do not post material that infringes the intellectual property rights of others
• Do not post multiple versions of the same view
• Do not promote commercial interests
If your contributions contain any of the above, they will not be added to the discussion.

(Based on the Australian Government, Australian Government Consultation Blog Discussion Paper, Accessed September 23 2008 at: http://www.finance.gov.au/publications/australian-government-consultation-blog-discussion-paper/index.html)