Guideline for government entities on social media use launched

Dubai: The second edition of the Guideline for Government Entities’ Presence on Social Media was launched recently by the Government Communication Office at the General Secretariat of the Cabinet at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future.

The launch was attended by over 50 participants from government communication teams across the UAE. The updated version of the guideline comes within the framework of promoting the best government communication practices in ministries and federal authorities.

The guideline offers tips and recommendations for use of social media platforms by government entities as ‎well as official spokespersons.

The launch of the guideline came during the meeting of the Government Communication Network as part of a series of meetings organised by the Government Communication Office to increase the capabilities of government communication teams and implement best global practices.

The Government Communication Office also presented the social media report which covers the ‎performance of government entities on a number of platforms. “The UAE Government is setting the trend in connecting with its people directly through social media apps with more than 180 government accounts on different social media platforms managed by 58 ministries, federal authorities, and official spokespersons, and followed by more than 31 million followers,” said Noaf Tahlak, executive director of the Government Communication Office.

“These channels stream government policies and initiatives to engage with the public directly and increase their satisfaction,” she added.

“Social media platforms have become an essential feature of the work of government communication teams and one of the fastest way to connect with the public in an impactful way. However, the optimal use of these platforms requires the knowledge of their specifications and this is what the updated manual outlines in detail,” Tahlak concluded. ‎

The Guideline for Government Entities’ Presence on Social Media includes practical examples illustrated in a visually appealing way to facilitate the learning process. It covers a wide range of topics from setting up an account on social media platforms, to managing it creatively and effectively, complying with the branding and visual identity guidelines, dealing in crisis communication management, and running successful campaigns.