Social Media and Media Policy

Effective date	April 27, 2025
Archived date	-
Date last reviewed	April 27, 2025
Scheduled review date
Replaces and/or amends	Hockey Saskatchewan Media Policy
Approved by and date	Hockey Saskatchewan Board of Directors, April 27, 2025
Appendix(-ces) to this Policy	-

 

Preamble

1. Hockey Saskatchewan is aware that Individual interaction and communication occurs frequently on social media. Hockey Saskatchewan cautions Individuals that any conduct falling short of the standard of behaviour required by this Policy and the Code of Conduct and Ethics may be subject to the disciplinary sanctions identified within the Discipline and Complaints Policy.

 

Application of this Policy

2. This Policy applies to all Individuals and to Hockey Saskatchewan in relation to public communications including posting pictures, videos, or comments through such online platforms as Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, TikTok, and any other social media network that allows users to communicate online as well as other forms of electronic communication including but not limited to methods such as texting and instant messaging
3.  This Policy encompasses all media relations recognizing that only authorized personnel appointed by Hockey Saskatchewan, Minor Hockey Associations, and Leagues may respond to media inquiries relative to the jurisdiction of each entity.
4. The Policy will be applicable to all Individuals, including directors, teams, Hockey Saskatchewan participants and staff, on-ice and off-ice officials, billets, players, players’ family members and supporters.
5. Hockey Saskatchewan holds the entire Hockey Saskatchewan Community who participate in social media and networking to the same standards as it does for all other forms of media including radio, television, and print media.

 

Conduct and Behaviour

6. For the avoidance of doubt, the following social media conduct may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Discipline and Complaints Policy:

 

1. Posting a disrespectful, hateful, harmful, disparaging, insulting, discriminatory or otherwise negative comment on a social medium that is directed at an Individual, Hockey Saskatchewan, Hockey Saskatchewan’s National Sport Organization or another Member, or at other individuals connected with Hockey Saskatchewan or Hockey Saskatchewan’s National Sport Organization or its Members, teams or associations
2. Posting a picture, altered picture, or video on a social medium that is harmful, disrespectful, insulting, or otherwise offensive, and that is directed at an Individual, Hockey Saskatchewan, Hockey Saskatchewan’s National Sport Organization or another Member, or at other individuals connected with Hockey Saskatchewan or Hockey Saskatchewan’s National Sport Organization or its Members, teams or associations.
3. Creating or contributing to a Facebook group, webpage, Instagram account, Twitter feed, blog, or online forum devoted solely or in part to promoting negative or disparaging remarks or commentary about Hockey Saskatchewan, Hockey Saskatchewan’s National Sport Organization or its Members, their stakeholders or their reputation.
4. Inappropriate personal or sexual relationships over a social medium between Individuals who have a Power Imbalance in their interactions, such as between Athletes and coaches, directors, officers, committee members and staff, officials and Athletes, etc.
5. Any instance of cyber-bullying or cyber-harassment by an Individual, where incidents of cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment can include but are not limited to the following conduct on any social medium, via text-message, or via email: regular insults, negative comments, vexatious or unwelcome behaviour, pranks or jokes, threats, doxxing, posing as another person, spreading rumours or lies, or other harmful behaviour. 
6. Posting photographs, video, or comments promoting negative influences or criminal behaviour, including but not limited to drug use, alcohol abuse, public intoxication, hazing, sexual exploitation, etc.
7. Online activity that contradicts the current policies of Hockey Saskatchewan or any of its member Associations.
8. Online activity that is meant to taunt or incite opponents particularly within the period of two (2) hours prior to or following a Hockey game.
9. Online activity that is meant to alarm other individuals or to misrepresent fact or truth.
10. Development of any false online identity for the purpose of misrepresenting any members of the Hockey Saskatchewan community for the purpose of distributing disrespectful, hateful, harmful, disparaging, insulting, discriminatory or otherwise negative content.
11. Speaking with the media (on record or off) on any topic related to Hockey Saskatchewan and its membership without permission Hockey Saskatchewan MHA, Leagues, or Teams required based upon the subject matter.
7. All conduct and behaviour occurring on social media may be Reported pursuant to the Discipline and Complaints Policy.

 

Individuals’ Responsibilities

8. Individuals acknowledge that their social media activity may be viewable and viewed by anyone, including Hockey Saskatchewan, Hockey Saskatchewan’s National Sport Organization, or other Members or Individuals.
9. When using social media and networking mediums, the Hockey Saskatchewan community should always assume they are representing Hockey Saskatchewan and/or its member Association or Teams. All members of the Hockey Saskatchewan community should remember to use the same discretion with texting, instant messaging, using all social media platforms and networking as they do with other traditional forms of media.

10. If Hockey Saskatchewan unofficially engages with an Individual in social media (such as by retweeting a tweet or sharing a photo on Facebook) the Individual may, at any time, ask Hockey Saskatchewan to cease this engagement.

11. When using social media, an Individual must model appropriate behaviour befitting the Individual’s role and status in connection with Hockey Saskatchewan.

12. Removing content from social media after it has been posted (either publicly or privately) does not excuse the Individual from being subject to the Discipline and Complaints Policy.

13. An Individual who believes that another Individual’s social media activity is inappropriate or may violate the policies and procedures of Hockey Saskatchewan should Report the matter in the manner outlined by the Discipline and Complaints Policy.
14.  If requested to participate in an online network or respond to any media inquiries, as a direct result of an individual’s affiliation with or participation in Hockey Saskatchewan, the Individual shall request approval from the League, Association, or Hockey Saskatchewan depending on the subject of the request.

 

Privacy

15. The collection, use and disclosure of any personal information pursuant to this Policy is subject to Hockey Saskatchewan’s usual policies and practices regarding private and/or confidential information.

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