I was probably like most of you when I saw the news about ESPN‘s new restrictions on the use of social media, in particular Twitter.  My thoughts were of the corporate jerks making rules from their ivory towers.  (OK that may be a bit harsh)

The news was broke when Ric Bucher’s tweet that ESPN was “prohibiting tweeting info unless it serves ESPN.”  This on the same day Paula Abdul twitted her announcement that she was not coming back to American Idol.  (Wonder how Fox and 19 Entertainment felt about that…).  My thoughts were how can a company restrict the use of a communication tool?  Come on now, you promoted this tool during the NFL Draft, you have your bloggers twitting, now you are saying no, no.

Once you have let the tiger out of the cage, you are going to have a hard time getting them back in.

Well, upon further review, ESPN is not all the far off with what they are laying out as a policy.  As posted on Mashable today, ESPN policy is not bad.  Little corporate, but that’s lawyers for you.  Here is the highlights of the policy:

ESPN’S ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR SOCIAL NETWORKING

ESPN regards social networks such as message boards, conversation pages and other forms of social networking such as Facebook and Twitter as important new forms of content. As such, we expect to hold all talent who participate in social networking to the same standards we hold for interaction with our audiences across TV, radio and our digital platforms. This applies to all ESPN Talent, anchors, play by play, hosts, analysts, commentators, reporters and writers who participate in any form of personal social networking that contain sports related content.

ESPN Digital Media is currently building and testing modules designed to publish Twitter and Facebook entries simultaneously on ESPN.com, SportsCenter.com, Page 2, ESPN Profile pages and other similar pages across our web site and mobile platforms. The plan is to fully deploy these modules this fall.

Specific Guidelines

• Personal websites and blogs that contain sports content are not permitted
• Prior to engaging in any form of social networking dealing with sports, you must receive permission from the supervisor as appointed by your department head
• ESPN.COM may choose to post sports related social media content
• If ESPN.com opts not to post sports related social media content created by ESPN talent, you are not permitted to report, speculate, discuss or give any opinions on sports related topics or personalities on your personal platforms
• The first and only priority is to serve ESPN sanctioned efforts, including sports news, information and content
• Assume at all times you are representing ESPN
• If you wouldn’t say it on the air or write it in your column, don’t tweet it
• Exercise discretion, thoughtfulness and respect for your colleagues, business associates and our fans
• Avoid discussing internal policies or detailing how a story or feature was reported, written, edited or produced and discussing stories or features in progress, those that haven’t been posted or produced, interviews you’ve conducted, or any future coverage plans.
• Steer clear of engaging in dialogue that defends your work against those who challenge it and do not engage in media criticism or disparage colleagues or competitors
• Be mindful that all posted content is subject to review in accordance with ESPN’s employee policies and editorial guidelines
• Confidential or proprietary company information or similar information of third parties who have shared such information with ESPN, should not be shared

Any violation of these guidelines could result in a range of consequences, including but not limited to suspension or dismissal.

(The above is from the Mashable posting)

After looking over ESPN’s policy, this is a good template for companies who are developing a social media policy.  We have email policies, computer policies – we probably need to include social media in those.

Point being, as company managers, we probably need to address Twitter, Facebook, blogs etc in our policies.  Our military is, we probably need to also.  You need to protect your information and the interest of your company.  Play nice with your employees, but an understanding of acceptable actions needs to be clear to all.

Other random thoughts for the morning……

• How can the Phillies bats just stop??  Over the last few series they have just stopped hitting.  What’s up with that?
• Going to the Reds game tonight.  Boy they have gone down.  At least they are playing the Cubs, so that will be fun.
• Downloaded Mac McAnally’s new album last night “Down By The River”  Great album.  Highly recommend it.
• Interesting numbers on “Who Uses Social Networks” from eMarketer.  42.7% of US Internet User visit social network sites.  Up 16% over last year