Purpose

RCO recognizes that external content–content that is provided by non-government entities–may be placed on RCO’s public website. RCO does not intend that its public website be an open public forum. External content on pages operated or controlled by RCO will be permitted at the sole discretion of RCO.

Applicability

This policy applies only to pages that are operated or controlled by RCO. This policy is not intended, and shall not be construed, to prohibit external content that meets the following:

  • Is required or authorized by law.
  • Constitutes official government business or furthers the specific purpose of a government organization’s web page.
  • Is published on web pages not operated or controlled by RCO.

It may be in the public interest to include the following on RCO’s website:

  • Links to resources that are provided by others on websites outside of RCO’s control.
  • Public acknowledgement of sponsors or other contributors of resources to allow RCO to expand online information and services.
  • Advertising, branding, and sponsorships to decrease costs and expand online information and services.

External content includes, but is not limited to, links, acknowledgements, and advertisements that propose a commercial transaction.

Content Guidelines

In exercising its discretion to allow external content on its website, RCO will be guided by the purpose of the website, which is as follows:

RCO’s website is intended to support, as efficiently, conveniently, and cost-effectively as possible, and in a manner of presentation befitting government, the following uses by citizens, businesses, and public employees:

  • Location of websites and access to useful public information provided by public agencies or nonprofit, non-partisan organizations.
  • Location and delivery of public services in general and in particular, the delivery of public services via the internet.

RCO, at its sole discretion, will determine whether external content, including advertisements and sponsorships, meets these purposes. Generally, external content that does not meet these purposes includes, but is not limited to, content that contains, suggests, or infers any of the following:

  • Advocacy of, or opposition to, any politically or socially controversial subjects, issues, or candidates.
  • Disparagement or promotion of any person or class of people.
  • Text, images, sound, or other presentations not suitable for people of all ages, or links to, or other promotion of, businesses whose products or services are not suitable for people of all ages.
  • Promotion or incitement of illegal, violent, or socially undesirable conduct.
  • Promotion or availability of alcohol or tobacco products.
  • Promotion or availability of illegal drugs.
  • Promotion or availability of adult or sexually oriented entertainment or materials.
  • Promotion, opposition, or availability of weapons.
  • Promotion, opposition, or availability of gambling.
  • Claims of efficacy, suitability, desirability, or other non-objective statements about businesses, products, or services.
  • Content that infringes on any trademark, copyright, or patent rights of another.
  • Claims or representations in violation of advertising or consumer protection laws.
  • Content that a reasonable citizen may not consider to maintain the dignity and decorum appropriate for RCO.

Oversight and Monitoring

RCO’s web manager shall establish procedures to monitor the implementation and continuing oversight of this policy. These procedures shall include the following:

  • A process for review of all new requests for external content links from an RCO web page to another web page to ensure compliance with this policy before granting the request
  • A quarterly review of not less than ten percent or a quantity of fifty of the then current direct external content links from RCO’s website, whichever is less, to ensure that such links still comply with this policy.

Removal of Content

RCO reserves the right, at its sole discretion; to withdraw external content that otherwise meets its guidelines. This discretion may be exercised if RCO becomes aware, receives claims or allegations, or has reason to inquire whether the content refers or links the viewer to content not on RCO’s website that is either in violation of any of the above listed guidelines (except claims of efficacy, suitability, desirability, or other non-objective statements about businesses, products, or services), or would be reasonably likely to offend a reasonable citizen. Withdrawal of content on these bases will be permitted whether or not RCO is legally obligated to act upon any information of which it is aware.