Private Emails, Social Media Comments, and March Madness!

Ohio Public Records Briefing - Issue #30

Why was the sports fan so crazy? Because he had March Madness. Haha! Speaking of – are you ready to start thinking about your bracket yet? The new month brings basketball, better weather (fingers crossed), and more public records knowledge. Contain your excitement!

You’ll also have to contain your excitement over our upcoming PIO Academy in April! Sign up here for three days of training in media, the first amendment and social media, and public records.

Fun Fact

Social media posts by a public office are public records. Posts generated by a public office fall under the definition of electronic records under R.C. 149.011 (G) and must be kept under an appropriate retention schedule. If you are ever unsure about how to maintain social media posts or other electronic communications as records, it’s worth visiting the webpage of the Ohio Electronic Records Committee for guidance. Here’s a parting question. Does this mean that the snark social media comments left by angry citizens are public records too? (hint: yes!)

Public Records 101

Thank goodness we’re now done with CLEIR. We would say we're moving on to a more fun subject, but confidential documents are often anything but lighthearted.