The government has issued a new directive that bans civil servants from speaking to media or on social media platforms without prior authorization. This directive, was communicated through an office memorandum from the Establishment Division.
According to the memorandum, civil servants are required to obtain government permission before making any public statements on media platforms. They are also prohibited from sharing official documents or information with unauthorized individuals, including the press.
The memorandum specifies that government employees must not express opinions or share information that could potentially damage the government’s reputation. They are also forbidden from making comments that could undermine government policies, national sovereignty, or the country’s dignity.
Civil servants are instructed not to make statements that could negatively impact international relations or participate in social media debates while remaining impartial.
The directive applies to all civil servants across different service groups, with violations potentially leading to misconduct proceedings. Government agencies are advised to monitor social media platforms to remove any inappropriate content. Federal secretaries, additional secretaries, department heads, and chief secretaries are responsible for ensuring adherence to these new guidelines.
The memorandum emphasizes that the goal is not to restrict positive use of social media but to manage potential risks associated with public statements by government employees.
