Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Social Media Policy

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Social Media Policy

Social media has become a prominent fixture in people’s lives, both in the personal and corporate world. People post opinions, facts, endorsements, advertisements, links, articles, and other thoughts every day using social media. Social media platforms also continue to emerge as essential news gathering tools and are integral to our Company as a tool for social news reporting, communicating with our viewers and fulfilling our mission to provide truthful, relevant content across all media. It is important that whether you are posting on your personal accounts, professional talent accounts or on behalf of your Station, you use good judgment when posting, commenting or sharing content. To assist you in making responsible decisions about your use of social media, we have established guidelines for appropriate use of social media.

The Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Social Media Policy applies to all Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (“SBG” or “Company”) employees. It is the responsibility of each individual to understand and adhere to this Policy.

USING SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media includes all forms of electronic communications on the Internet that allow users to participate in social networking, or to create and share content. Remember that everything you do online is public and as an employee of SBG, your social media activities reflect you and the Company. With that in mind, all employees are expected to comply with the following standards:

• Follow all rules and terms of service for any social media platforms used.

• Respect copyright and intellectual property rights for all content. The Sinclair Broadcast Group copyright guidelines can be found on the Company Intranet.

• Do not post or comment on the behalf of SBG unless you are authorized to do so. SBG will respond to inquiries from outside parties only through designated spokespersons in accordance with the “Non-Disclosure/Confidential Nature of Company Affairs” policy.

• Do not post, comment in regards to or share proprietary or confidential information as defined in the “Non-Disclosure/Confidential Nature of Company Affairs” policy.

• Do not post content that is harassing, violent or discriminatory towards co-workers or customers.

PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

Any social media accounts which you are solely using for personal communications that are in no way linked to your professional work on behalf of SBG is considered a Personal Social Media Account.

• Your personal account is just that, personal. Most people use social networks to connect with friends and family who share similar interests. Your personal account will remain separate from any Company social media account that may be created for you by SBG for Company social networking activities.

• If you identify yourself as an employee of the station using your personal social media account, then you are obligated to make it explicitly known that your posts, thoughts, and opinions are your own in your profile description and/or About section, clearly identifying that your personal account does not represent SBG’s views.

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• You are responsible for content posted on blogs, chats, social networks, user‐generated content, etc. Remember that whatever you post online has a digital footprint and is searchable for a long period of time, even after the content has been deleted.

COMPANY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

Any social media accounts which you contribute to, maintain or communicate with as a representation of SBG is considered a Company Social Media Account (may also be referred to as a Professional Social Network Account). A Company social media account is intended to promote and expand the station’s brand and activities, or to enhance and compliment your role as a public-facing content provider (if applicable).

• Professional social network accounts include, but are not limited to, station accounts, on-air personality/anchor accounts (which are created in the name of the personality but are not a personal account), and promotional accounts for any service or entity owned by SBG.

• Employees may not create their own company social media account on behalf of SBG.

• Social network accounts including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Tumblr, Pinterest, and blogs, are created by the Corporate Web/Digital Interactive Department and are subjected to approval, monitoring, and compliance. The usernames and passwords for these accounts should not be modified without the consent of the Corporate Web/Digital Interactive Department.

• The Corporate Web/Digital Interactive Department must be the administrator and owner of all station professional social network accounts.

• Corporate reserves the right to modify, monitor, or delete a social network professional account.

• All professional accounts, even those created in the name of on-air talent, are property of SBG. The name and contents remain property of SBG for the duration of your employment. Upon leaving the company, all professional accounts will remain property of SBG.

Best Practices for Public-Facing Employees

• Assume everything you write online will become public, regardless of privacy settings.
• Be as objective as possible when reporting news-related items. Posts should never express bias.
• Properly attribute your work and maintain high quality standards of journalism at all times.

• Be respectful when responding to comments and replies from the public. Do not use profanity or offensive language, attack anyone online, or get into verbal or written arguments.

• Follow the most recent content best practices for the social media platform you’re using to ensure the highest quality of content and engagement performance.

• Engage with readers. Ask questions, solicit feedback about news you are covering, and keep the content relevant.

• Be transparent and correct mistakes where you may make them.

• Adhere to legal rights of trademark, copyright and fair use law. Make sure you have the right to use the content before publishing the content and give proper credit for other people’s work.

• Do not post confidential or proprietary station information as defined in the “Non-Disclosure/Confidential Nature of Company Affairs” policy.

• Exercise good judgment and common sense: Don’t say on social media networks what you wouldn’t say in public.

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• When in doubt, ask for guidance from your Supervisor, Department Head or member of the Corporate Web/Digital Interactive Department.

Ownership of Company Social Media Accounts

Accounts created for employees under the terms of professional use are property of SBG, including, but not limited to, all public-facing accounts.

All public-facing employees (including, but not limited to on-air talent) will be provided work accounts for professional use while employed at SBG. Upon leaving the Company, those accounts will be retained by SBG.

Public-facing employees with existing social media accounts prior to being made aware of this Policy will be provided the option of retaining past accounts, but such accounts will cease professional use immediately. In this event, new accounts will be provided for professional use that will remain the property of SBG.

POLICY ENFORCEMENT

Those who violate this Policy may have access to social media accounts revoked and/or may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

This Policy is in effect as of June 18, 2015 and must be followed in conjunction with other SBG policies regarding appropriate workplace conduct. It is expected that all employees will read, understand, and comply with all provisions of this Policy. The Company reserves the right to modify, revoke, suspend, terminate, or change any or all of the provisions of this Policy, or procedures referred to, in whole or in part, at any time, with or without notice.

If you have questions regarding the social media guidelines, please contact your supervisor, Department Head, or the Corporate Web/Digital Interactive Department.