The government has formed a committee to monitor and review whether the government officials and employees are implementing the guidelines on the use of social media.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued an office order in this regard on Sunday (July 4).

Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration. The order signed by Enamul Haque said, Rule-4 Branch circular to follow Guidelines on Use of Social Media in Government Institutions, 2019 (Revised Edition) was issued on May 7, 2020. A five-member committee has been formed to review whether the government officials and employees are implementing those instructions. The committee will monitor and review whether the circular is being properly implemented or not and inform the higher authority if any officer-employee disobeys the instructions.

On May 7 of last year, the Circular on 'Guidelines for the Use of Social Media in Government Institutions, 2019 (revised version)' has been issued on May 7 of last year, providing for action against those who post and like-share any post containing negative comments about state-important persons on social media, especially on Facebook. Issued by the Ministry of Public Administration. In addition, the circular also imposes some other restrictions, including making the concerned employee liable and taking legal action if someone posts 'harmful content' on their account.

Earlier, on November 4, 2015, the cabinet department had issued instructions calling for responsible behavior of field level officials through social media. After that, the instructions were revised from time to time.

According to the circular, one should refrain from uploading, commenting, liking, sharing any post, image, audio or video containing adverse comments about any other state or important state person.

The circular also states that the concerned employee will be personally responsible for misuse of social media or harmful content on his account and action will be taken as per prevailing laws and regulations.

Observances on Social Media Use by Government Servants:

You should refrain from uploading, commenting, liking, sharing any post, picture, audio or video that undermines the image of the government or the state through various means of social communication.

Any information contrary to national unity and consciousness should be avoided.
No information shall be disclosed which may hurt the religious sentiments of any community or violate the principles of secularism. You should refrain from uploading, commenting, liking, sharing any post, picture, audio or video that may destroy communal harmony or cause deterioration of law and order.

Refrain from posting any post that denigrates any nationally important person, organization or any other service/profession.

Gender discrimination or any controversial data shall not be published.

You should refrain from writing, uploading audio or video, commenting, liking, sharing anything that can create dissatisfaction or unpleasant attitude in the public mind.

Dissemination of baseless, false and obscene information should be avoided.

Refrain from uploading, commenting, liking and sharing posts, images, audio or videos containing negative comments about any other state or important state persons.

According to the circular, government officials are instructed to exercise caution in managing content and friend selection in social media and avoid unnecessary tags, references or sharing.

The circular also said that the concerned employee will be personally responsible for misuse of social media or harmful content on his account and action will be taken against him as per prevailing laws and regulations.