The growing popularity of digital media has made this tool very prominent in today’s society. Social media can be used to connect with friends and family, but it has also expanded to enable professionals to network with one another. Organizations from the private to the public domain have leveraged the use of social media and the internet to increase awareness of information and/or improve the accessibility of programs and resources for their users. However, while the internet can provide users with helpful information, it can also undermine or discredit the work done by organizations.
As an individual aspiring to join the public service one day I would want to ensure that my online presence is both respectful and professional. To me this means engaging with fellow users in a respectful manner, ensuring that I am educated and that any information I share is creditable, and that I do not abuse my position for my own personal gains. These values embody respect for people, respect for democracy, and integrity, all of which are core values in the Government of Canada’s Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service (Value and Ethics Code, 2017).
Aside from practicing the values listed in the Federal Government’s code of ethics, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner highlights that public servants must also be cognisant that employers may be privy to the information they post online (Privacy and Social Media, 2019). The Nova Scotian Government states that provincial public servants are bound by the Government of Nova Scotia’s Values, Ethics, & Conduct: A Code for Nova Scotia’s Public Servants, and identifies three statements to outline responsible social media use (Social Media Policy, 2016):
Employees shall not make partisan, political comments while speaking or writing as a government employee.
Comments must be objective in nature.
Do not refer or link to the websites or social media accounts of politicians or political parties.
The public service prides itself on its foundation build upon responsibility, accountability, neutrality, and meritocracy (Kernaghan & Langford, 2014, pg. 1). Of these pillars, neutrality is often discussed since “the ethic of neutrality portrays the ideal administrator” (Kernaghan & Langford, 2014, pg. 20). Public servants are expected to remain non-partisan, something that has been worked into my head since day one of my Master’s degree. This is important since it ensures that public servants complete their duties in a non-partisan nature, thus providing the public with the confidence that government actions/programs are not brought forth merely to fulfill political agendas.
I have noticed that social media has made the public more aware of social injustices, which has led to an expectation that those with a media platform should use it to raise awareness for social issues. After all, as humans, we are not immune to having personal opinions and either thinking favourably or unfavourably about certain political actions. There is also the idea that “silence is compliance”, and that if we as members of the public do not speak out then we are just as guilty. This ideology puts public servants in hot water. If they speak out about the actions of their government then they are not fulfilling their non-partisan duties. However, if they do not speak out, then they are not fulfilling their duties as a noble samaritan. I’ve therefore posed this question to a number of colleagues, the response I found the most helpful in addressing my internal dilemma was that one does not have to utilize social media to raise awareness. In fact, this act can also be seen as performative, an action merely to satisfy one’s conscious. Public servants can support social causes through private means, such as donating to charities and/or supporting businesses owned by certain groups.
Overall, since I plan to one day join the Canadian public service I would currently hold myself accountable to my digital footprint. I would want to strive to be “the ideal administrator” and practice neutrality, along with the other tenants of the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service. However, I will also point out that many of the values and ethics outlined by the Government align with those I already held. What is permitted on social media is not black or white, but is rather a spectrum. This is why it is important for public servants to familiarize themselves with social media policies and reflect on their online actions. Digital media is not going anywhere. If anything, these platforms will only continue to grow and become more popular. Shying away from them would be unproductive, therefore it is important to understand how one can use social media and leverage its power in a constructive, yet non-partisan, manner.
References
Government of Nova Scotia Communications Services. (2016). Common Services Manual Government of Nova Scotia: 6.9 Social Media Policy. Retrieved: https://novascotia.ca/treasuryboard/manuals/PDF/300/30609-03.pdf
Kernaghan, K. and J. Langford. 2014. The Responsible Public Servant – Introduction, 2nd ed. Toronto: IPAC.
Kernaghan, K. and J. Langford. 2014. The Responsible Public Servant – Chapter 1, 2nd ed. Toronto: IPAC.
Privacy and social media in the workplace. (2019, August 01). Retrieved February 02, 2021, from https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/privacy-topics/employers-and-employees/mobile-devices-and-online-services-at-work/02_05_d_41_sn/
Values and ethics code for the public sector. (2017, August 24). Retrieved February 03, 2021, from https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=25049
Comments