Abstract

The United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) has issued “Social Media Guidelines” for its employees to ensure responsible and effective use of these tools in professional organizational communications. They emphasize that social media blurs the lines between internal and external communications, as well as professional and personal communications. The purpose of the guidelines is to provide a set of overarching ideas for using social media effectively for professional communications and public relations, while also addressing potential risks and challenges. The voluntary rules for using social media are based on the UN Secretariat’s core values of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, as well as other related codes of conduct, standards, and guidelines.