Policy - Missionary's Guide to Social Media

Section: Human Resource Policies  
Policy Owner: Ignition633 Ministries Nigeria Human Resources  
Policy Name: Missionary's Guide to Social Media Policy   
Origination Date: October 2024

Purpose
This policy provides guidelines for missionaries on the appropriate and effective use of social media. It ensures that media interactions and engagements align with the ministry's values, support the mission, and protect the integrity of our ministry.

Scope
This policy applies to all missionaries and employees using social media platforms to engage with the public, share content, or represent the Ministry.

Policy Statement
Advocate With People, Not For People
Don't just rely on your assumptions. You are in a different country where people have a different lens than you do. Interview locals, talk to them, and get the story. You can learn their names and where they are to help understand their situations.

Focus on The Positive
Don't focus on all the negative aspects to create an emotional response for we do not want a feeling of hopelessness. Are people here struggling? Yes, people struggle everywhere. Focus on what is being done to help, what steps the locals are taking to improve the situation, and what others are doing to help.

Shift Your Focus
Is Ignition633 doing great things? Sure! Are we doing this alone? Not! We are in a partnership with others. Be sure to include those doing the groundwork and the strides the local and the Nigerian government are taking to improve. It is essential to take and share photos of the leaders running the organizations we visit and the work they do for their community rather than focusing only on us. 

Be Respectful
Ask yourself why you are making the post. It is to educate, spread awareness, encourage, and gain support. However, you should not post for shock value or to shed local people in a hopeless and inferior way. Avoid posting things that show pity, or are offensive to the culture.

Get Content
Before you take a picture ASK. If you are at a large event like a school, ask the group leader if you can take photos. Be sure the person understands you. People often say "yes" just to be polite but might not understand what you are asking due to the language barrier.

Keep Their Dignity
YouWhen willdocumenting comepoverty, acrossavoid taking photos of people in extremedistress poverty.or You do not need to get a photograph of someonechildren in avulnerable badconditions. situationBefore orsharing, a child with a dirty face to raise awareness. Askask yourself, " If this was my mother/father/child, wouldWould I want thatthis photographimage toonline beif onit thewere Internet?my loved one?" If thenot, answerrefrain isfrom "no,"posting. don'tYou docan it.raise There are ways to capture povertyawareness without takingcompromising someone's dignity.

Honor People's Modesty
You may find that people in Nigeria are more comfortable with their bodies and may see nude adults/children; however, taking and  posting nude photos(socially acceptable or not) is inappropriate - this includes children. Infants. Once an image is added to the internet, we have no control over how it can be used and do not want to provide photos that could be used as pornography.

Safety First
DoAvoid not postsharing live photos, videos, or share your exact location. Avoid including landmarks in photos taken onlocations, or nearidentifiable thelandmarks, campus. If you areespecially at sensitive sites like IDP camp, orphanage,camps or similarorphanages. event, do not reveal the location, waitWait at least seven days before posting. Never share personal information that could put anyone at risk. Do not post the namesdetails or locationsnames of recent victims of attacks, as this endangerscan lives.put lives at risk.

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This policy will be reviewed annually and is subject to change. Any changes will be communicated to all employees promptly. 

For any questions or further assistance regarding this policy, employees should contact the HR department at hr.nigeria@ignition633.org.