Federal Government Enforces Strict Social Media Ban on Civil Servants
On September 2nd, the federal government imposed stringent restrictions on the use of social media by civil servants, aimed at preventing the unauthorized dissemination of sensitive information. This decision, outlined in a formal memorandum issued by the Establishment Division, bars government employees from engaging with social media platforms without prior authorization, marking a significant step in safeguarding official communications and operations.
The memorandum, which has been circulated across all federal ministries and divisions, states that any breach of these new directives will lead to severe disciplinary action. Civil servants are now required to obtain formal approval before posting on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Instagram. This directive applies to all forms of media engagement, ensuring that no official information or documents are shared without proper clearance.
The memorandum specifies that government employees are not permitted to express personal opinions, share facts, or engage in discussions that could potentially damage the government’s reputation or violate legal boundaries, including the contempt of court. The rules also prohibit statements that could harm the country’s national sovereignty, dignity, or relationships with other nations.
The memorandum also addresses the issue of civil servants participating in online discussions, noting a trend where some employees have been actively involved in social media debates or have even set up program desks for such activities. The new guidelines strictly forbid these practices, stressing the importance of maintaining impartiality and refraining from making public statements that could compromise the government’s stance on various issues.
To ensure compliance, the memorandum instructs federal secretaries, additional secretaries, department heads, and chief secretaries to closely monitor social media activities within their respective departments. These officials are tasked with identifying and removing any content that violates the new guidelines from official channels.
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