Social Media Policy

1. Purpose of this policy

The Ditch uses social media to share local news, public information, events, community updates, discussion points and content relevant to Redditch and Worcestershire.

We want our platforms to remain useful, open, engaging and safe. These guidelines explain what we expect from anyone who comments, shares, messages, tags, replies or otherwise interacts with The Ditch online.

2. Respect and civility

We encourage open discussion, disagreement and debate. However, people using our platforms should do so in a respectful and civil manner.

Treat others as you would expect to be treated. Disagreement is allowed. Abuse is not.

3. No hate speech or discrimination

Hate speech, discriminatory language or targeted abuse will not be tolerated.

This includes, but is not limited to, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, religious hatred, age related abuse, or any other form of bigotry directed at individuals or groups.

4. Constructive criticism

We welcome constructive criticism and feedback on our content, reporting, editorial choices and community coverage.

Criticism should be expressed in a constructive way. Personal attacks, harassment, name calling, threats or attempts to intimidate others may be removed.

5. No spam or excessive self promotion

Please do not post spam, repetitive comments, irrelevant links or excessive self promotion.

This includes repeated advertisements, links to external websites without context, unrelated promotional material, misleading links, or posting the same comment multiple times.

6. Privacy and confidentiality

Respect the privacy of others. Do not post personal, private or confidential information about another person without their consent.

This includes addresses, phone numbers, private messages, personal documents, private images, medical information, workplace information, or anything that could place another person at risk.

7. Intellectual property

Please make sure you have the necessary rights to share any content on our platforms, including text, photographs, graphics, video, audio or screenshots.

Respect copyright laws. Where appropriate, give credit to the original creator or source.

8. Free speech

The Ditch believes in the fundamental right to free speech. We encourage open dialogue and diverse viewpoints, including views that challenge or disagree with our own.

We welcome different opinions. We do not welcome behaviour aimed at silencing others simply because a view is uncomfortable, unpopular or causes disagreement.

Free speech comes with responsibilities. It does not excuse abuse, threats, unlawful behaviour, harassment, intimidation, discriminatory conduct or deliberate attempts to harm others.

9. No right not to be offended

Discussions around sensitive or difficult subjects may sometimes cause discomfort or disagreement.

It is important to understand that free expression also means there is no automatic right not to be offended. The Ditch encourages thoughtful discourse, tolerance and understanding, even where opinions differ strongly.

However, disagreement should not be used as an excuse for abusive, threatening or discriminatory behaviour.

10. Moderation

Our social media pages, groups and comment areas may be moderated to help maintain these guidelines.

We reserve the right to remove, hide, restrict or report content that we consider inappropriate, unlawful, abusive, discriminatory, defamatory, misleading, spammy, unsafe or otherwise harmful to the quality of the discussion.

Repeat offenders may be blocked, banned, muted or restricted from participating in The Ditch online community.

11. Reporting concerns

If you see content that appears to breach these guidelines, or if you have concerns about inappropriate behaviour on our platforms, please contact the relevant moderator or administrator.

You can also contact The Ditch directly by email at hello@theditch.co.uk.

12. Editorial discretion

The Ditch has editorial discretion over what it publishes, shares, highlights, removes or declines to engage with.

We may choose not to publish or respond to comments, messages or submissions. We may also close comments on certain posts where discussion becomes unmanageable, repetitive or inappropriate.

13. Platform rules

Our social media pages also operate within the rules and terms of the platforms we use, including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube or any other relevant service.

Content may be removed by the platform itself if it breaches that platform’s rules, even where The Ditch has not taken separate moderation action.

14. Agreement to these guidelines

By engaging with The Ditch on social media, you agree to follow this policy.

We reserve the right to update or amend these guidelines when needed to protect the integrity, safety and usefulness of our online community.

15. Contact

For questions about this policy, moderation concerns or online community issues, contact:

Email: hello@theditch.co.uk