CSB organises joint meeting on dealing with social networking platforms

Manama, MAy 5 (BNA): The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) has organised a joint meeting that brought together assistant undersecretaries, directors of human resources and directors of media and communications in the public sector. During the meeting, held today at the Information Affairs Ministry, they reviewed the functional behaviour in dealing with the social networking platforms, which falls within the Code of Conduct in the Public Sector, which set the responsibilities of the staff in dealing with these platforms based on the rules of professional conduct and ethics of public service. The meeting also addressed the guide to the use of social networks in government entities. The meeting focused on the value system that emphasises the fixed principles and the responsibility of the job in the public sector, especially in relation to the service of citizens and all that raises the country's status, based on the values of loyalty and belonging , and promoting the preservation of the fabric of the cohesive society, away from everything that compromises the integrity of the performance of the job related to persons or work, as well established in the system of values and spiritual and human principles that urge good dealing with the secretariat and good performance. The joint meeting stressed the importance of cooperation in enhancing the provisions of dealing with the platforms of social communication in accordance with the functional behavior to deal with these platforms in the public sector and work positively and accurately with them in a manner that serves the interests and higher goals of the homeland and society. Especially as the preparation and formulation of related aspects took into account the comprehensive principles and objectives of all aspects of development and development in the Kingdom of Bahrain, inspired by the noble approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the wise directives of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. The Civil Service Bureau stressed that the Kingdom's approach is a civilised one and does not infringe on the freedom of opinion and expression and stresses the importance of responsible freedom, including the practice of expression through personal accounts on social networks and emphasizing that these platforms represent only their owners and not the position of their employer in the public sector. CSB stressed the need to show the principles and values established for work in the government sector and the importance of respect and non-abuse in a direct or indirect manner. The Civil Service Bureau reviewed its instructions regarding the application of the provisions of the code of conduct and the ethics of the public service, which are based on its legislative basis to the civil service law and its executive regulations and the list of violations and penalties in these regulations. In this regard, CSB stressed that the government entities or the Civil Service Bureau should take appropriate measures against the misuse of social media. During the meeting, CSB also reviewed the guide to use social networks in government entities in terms of the management of official accounts, executive personal or personal employee accounts. The joint meeting recommended the importance of treating employees in government agencies with social networking sites with the highest ethical standards, considering that the public office is responsible and accountable to its staff. The meeting also recommended that social networking sites should be used with tact, wisdom and objectivity, and that personal use should not harm the reputation of the government or any other entity. Furthermore, the joint meeting called for respecting the principles of privacy and confidentiality, and in particular when dealing with public information and personal information, and not disclosing any information or news that would expose the interests of the governmental body to harm and danger. The joint meeting also stressed the importance of not using social networking sites in any way that might violate public morals or behavior, and that it shall be used in accordance with the customs and traditions of Bahraini society. It also stressed that social networks use shall be refrained from insulting political opinions or religious beliefs, and not to incite against opinions and beliefs inside or outside the government under any circumstances. The meeting also stressed that government employees must abide by the publication of forms of evacuation in social networking sites, and not use the work email or password for personal purposes in order to protect the security of information. The meeting also called for the non-exploitation of the government position of the employee to give confidential information or dedicated to the staff of the specified government entity only.