The Social Media Use Policy and Implementation Plan 2016/17 – 2019/20

The Social Media Use Policy and Implementation Plan 2016/17 – 2019/20 developed by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) of the Republic of Namibia is a strategic guideline for how government institutions should use social media to enhance governance, public communication, transparency, and service delivery.

1. Background and motivation

The policy responds to Article 21 of the Namibian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression, including media. With the rise of social media and digital technologies, the government aims to modernise communication, ensure equal access to information, and foster public engagement in policy-making and service delivery.

2. Purpose

The policy serves to:

• Guide official use of social media by Offices, Ministries and Agencies (O/M/As), Regional Councils, and Local Authorities.
• Encourage public engagement, participatory democracy, and transparent governance.
• Define responsibilities, ethical conduct, and best practices in government communication.

It rests on three pillars of digital engagement:

• Virtual Engagement – two-way communication with the public.
• Re-purpose – adapting traditional media content for web use.
• Search – enabling public access to archived government information online.

3. Key benefits for government

• Enhanced accessibility and reach.
• Cost-effective communication.
• Faster dissemination and response.
• Better audience targeting and engagement.
• Public participation in policy shaping.

4. Web points of contact (WPC)

Each O/M/A and local authority must:

• Appoint a WPC to manage social media pages and represent the institution.
• Ensure WPCs receive training and adhere to the policy.
• Join the WPC Committee coordinated by MICT to share best practices and support crisis communication.

5. Approved social media platforms

Government institutions are encouraged to use platforms like:

• Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Blogs, and SMS lines. Each platform is briefly evaluated for its user base, function, and strategic use in Namibia.

6. Guidelines for official use

Government communicators must:

• Be credible, respectful, and professional.
• Understand the context before participating in discussions.
• Use accurate, verified information.
• Avoid endorsements of political or commercial entities.
• Not moderate or remove comments unless they violate clear rules.
• Collaborate with relevant departments before responding to questions.

7. Third-party websites

Officials must:

• Be aware of third-party privacy policies.
• Understand that external content is not under government control.

8. Terms of use and disclaimer

Social media pages must post disclaimers stating:

• The government encourages diverse opinions but prohibits:
  • Hate speech, defamatory statements, or obscenity.
  • Commercial or political endorsements.
  • Privacy violations or illegal content.

Users who violate these terms may be blocked or face legal recourse.

9. Personal use by government employees

While employees may use social media privately:

• They should not compromise the government’s image.
• They must avoid conflicts of interest or inappropriate affiliations if their government role is identifiable.

10. Implementation plan

Outlined as action steps with KPIs and timeframes, it includes: