The Joint Technology Committee (JTC), established by the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), released a resource bulletin in December 2018. The publication covered several aspects of utilizing social media as a means by which to achieve effective court communication.  It also examined have failure to include social media in the court’s communication strategy can widen the gap between what the public expects, and what the court delivers.

Included in the 16-page bulletin are some key elements to creating a relevant and cohesive social media presence including:

1. Platforms available and most frequently used (including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.).
2. Internal and external risk review for governance team, body, or administration.
3. Social Listening – which includes more information about appropriate response time, how best to monitor accounts, and what that includes across platforms.

While there are still risks to any communications strategy, the bulletin advises courts to strongly consider and invest in a social media presence to best reach consumers, the public, and their partners where they are – online, using devices and apps that are highly integrated.

Also included is an appendix with basic, intermediate, and advanced-level steps for courts to take action before, during, and while revising social media communication plans.