Social Media Policy

Scottish Off Road Club Ltd
Social Media Policy


Social Media Policy and Guidance Advice, guidance and recommendations for all participants in motor sport whether or not licenced members of Motorsport UK


Breach of Policy
It is the Club’s responsibility to ensure that their members are made aware of the Social Media
Policy and guidance if they wish to protect the integrity of their Club’s brand identity and
image. Members should then be expected to take responsibility for their own actions whilst
participating in Social Media and apply appropriate discretion in line with this Policy.


As technology develops, the internet and its range of services can be accessed through various devices very easily. Social networking and internet blogs can offer great opportunities for motorsport to communicate and engage with its audience and members.
Motorsport UK has a responsibility to promote the safe and responsible use of social networking and to raise awareness for everyone involved in motor sport of the potential risks and to promote best practice.
Participants should be aware that comments which bring motor sport into disrepute, or are
threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting, may lead to disciplinary action before the National Court and which may result in substantial fines or international bans from participation in the sport. Comments that include a reference to a person’s ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, faith, gender, sexual orientation or disability may attract a severe disciplinary sanction. Comments can also attract civil and criminal action.


General guidance

  • These are public forums, so treat them as such
  • Participants and organisations are strictly responsible for any posting on his/their account/s
  • Re-posting or re-tweeting inappropriate content represents an endorsement of that content and can be actionable and punishable under the General Regulations
  • Do not use abusive, derogatory, vulgar or sexual language and do not post anything that you would not say face to face
  • Deleting or apologising publicly for an improper posting does not prevent disciplinary action being taken
  • Consider “protecting” Tweets and changing security/visibility of Facebook accounts
  • Do not criticise or imply bias in Motorsport UK Officials on social media platforms
    Clubs and stakeholders Clubs and stakeholders should be aware that they can be vicariously liable for material published by employees whether paid or unpaid in the course of their employment and duties for example on an official website, Facebook site or Twitter feed, or published by employees outside motor sport via a work email address or a work Twitter handle. Clubs can also be liable for third party comments and postings made in their website forums or on their Facebook pages.
    We recommend that clubs and stakeholders:
  • Clearly identify who is responsible for posting and maintaining social networking and internet sites
  • Set standards for content generated in line with the guidelines above
  • Establish protocols for monitoring output, moderating content in online forums and removing
    offensive postings
  • Report any breaches of these guidelines to Motorsport UK and the relevant statutory organisations if
    appropriate
    In short, follow the general guidelines above and:
  • Don’t comment on social media if you have any concerns about the consequences
  • Don’t link to unsuitable content that breaches this policy
  • Don’t get into disputes with audience
  • Don’t share or elicit personal detail
    But
  • Do show your personality and be approachable
  • Do share your achievements
  • Do let people know what it is like to be a Competitor/Coach/Official
  • Do post regular comments to grow and engage with an audience