Publications

Publications in various forms are used to deliver information to the public about Tasmanian Government programs, services, policies and opportunities.

Publications may include, but are not limited to (print and digital versions):

  • flyers, brochures, posters, fact sheets
  • annual reports
  • project and program strategies
  • newsletters
  • research papers
  • articles for magazines or scientific and professional journals
  • guidelines, protocols and policies
  • photographic images and embedded videos
  • digital publication platforms, including websites, electronic direct mail, social media and blog platforms
  • third-party content published on government digital assets or printed materials.
Third-party publishing platforms

Sometimes it is necessary to publish content on a third-party website (external site) or a digital platform, rather than a preferred Tasmanian Government platform, in order to reach intended audiences.

Examples of external websites and digital marketing and communications platforms that could be used to publish content include:

  • social media platforms
  • video sharing platforms
  • wikis
  • media-sharing sites
  • blogs and online forums.
Risk considerations

The use of third-party platforms comes with some risk, and as such there are some special considerations, including:

  • actions must be taken to negate the risk of defamatory content being published on government pages/presences; this action could include monitoring and moderating content and ensuring comments are turned off outside of business hours
  • advice should be sought from your agency’s IT teams regarding any potential cyber-security risks that use of the external platform may pose, and any mitigations that could be put in place to manage these
  • Premier’s Direction 1/2023 prohibits the use of TikTok on government devices.
Agency requirements

When publishing information on third-party websites or platforms, agencies must:

  • ensure all new pages and sites set up to represent the Tasmanian Government are authorised by the respective agency’s Communications Manager or their delegate
  • maintain a register of all sites and presences and provide this routinely to the Department of Premier and Cabibet Communications Unit
  • clearly identify the Tasmanian Government as the source of information published on external websites, by either using the Tasmanian Government logo, or with a statement of ownership and complying with requirements of this Policy
  • provide a link back to the publishing agency’s website, as well as a clear way that users can contact the agency
  • develop and make clear the agency’s terms of use of the site, identifying what is inappropriate content and noting the government’s right to remove it
  • develop a process to guide how the agency will manage and moderate feedback, comments and formal complaints made via an external site that allows for user comments or interaction (e.g. a social networking site or wiki), and ensure responsible staff understand and implement these moderation expectations
  • ensure the services and information resources provided via third-party platforms are comparable in quality, functionality and accessibility to those delivered on Tasmanian Government websites or by other means
  • ensure records of government-sourced content and business transactions that occur on external platforms are accurately recorded, in accordance with the Archives Act 1983 and the Libraries Act 1984
  • respect privacy rights and copyright ownership in compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2004 and the Copyright Act 1968
  • ensure important or critical public information available on third-party platforms is available through other means for those who do not have access to these sites
  • ensure content published is accessible using Plain English.
Recommendations for agencies

When publishing content on third-party platforms, it is recommended that agencies:

  • understand the resourcing required to maintain the site, especially moderation and content generation, before commencing projects using these channels
  • remove content from external sites where the project they relate to has finished and the content will no longer be maintained, while ensuring archiving and record keeping requirements are met
  • read relevant terms of use and consider their implications for the intended use of the site. The site’s terms of use may also affect the Tasmanian Government’s status as the intellectual property or copyright owner of content
  • consider producing guidelines that set out how staff should conduct themselves when representing their agency on sites that allow public comment and response, in accordance with the State Service Act 2000 and Employment Direction No.12 of 2013 (Internet and email use by State Service Officers and Employees).