RIBA Social Media Policy

RIBA has a number of social media accounts on platforms including Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Vimeo.

We use these accounts to share updates and content with our global audiences. We also use them to promote our activities, initiatives, products and services, which means some of our posts contain advertising or links to third-party content and commercial partners.

We want all those with an interest in architecture to engage with our channels; to be inspired, to create, debate and help us to build a positive online community.

To ensure all channels are inviting and informative – and used effectively and responsibly – we have a Social Media Policy.

We ask…

When posting, commenting, responding and messaging on our social media channels or on your own social media channels with reference to the RIBA, please:

• Be nice. Treat others with respect, courtesy and consideration at all times. Keep the content focused on professional issues and refrain from making any comments which could cause personal offence. Please don’t use any social media channel for critical comment of current or former Members or volunteers or members of RIBA staff.
• Think before you post. It’s sometimes tricky to communicate online. Try to be clear about what you are saying and be prepared for people to interpret your contribution differently than you intended. If you are not sure what to say or how to say it, wait and see how the conversation develops.
• Take responsibility. You remain responsible for the quality of your conversations. Our social media channels are a positive, dynamic and intelligent place for discussion – please focus on that when contributing.
• Look out for each other. If you are not comfortable with specific posts, for whatever reason, you can report them to be moderated appropriately. Alternatively, please email support@riba.org for assistance.
• Keep things professional. Our social media channels should not be used as a vehicle to raise or pursue personal grievances. If you have a concern, please email support@riba.org so that you concern can be directed to the relevant department. RIBA does not respond to comments, compliments or complaints via social media.
• Respect privacy. Please do not publish confidential information or post other people's private information (such as home phone number and address) on social media channels.

Unacceptable behaviour

We will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour which we come across on our own social media channels or which appears on a third party channel and is brought to our attention. We will liaise with social media platform providers to take down content and/or block accounts where necessary. The following are examples of unacceptable behaviour:

• Making comments or using language that is abusive, offensive, obscene, vulgar or violent or contains swearing;
• Abusing, threatening, bullying, stalking, harassing, intimidating or in any way attacking other users, or using fear or threat to silence another person's voice;
• Being offensive or derogatory toward others on the basis of political beliefs, race, nationality, ethnicity, age, sex, gender, religion or belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity or any other characteristic protected by law;
• Posting graphic, sensitive or offensive imagery;
• Trolling: posting insulting messages to annoy someone or persistently sharing negative and/or abusive comments to provoke a response;
• Spamming: repeatedly sharing content or sending multiple unsolicited messages;
• Deliberately adding links or images to posts that contain viruses, or any other similar software or programs that may damage the operation or compromise the security of computers and networks
• Violations of copyright, trademarks, intellectual property and other third party rights;
• Posting information or content that is disruptive, defamatory, inflammatory, repetitive, misleading, deceptive, harmful, unlawful, fraudulent or puts others at risk;
• Breaching any law or regulation.

How will RIBA deal with unacceptable behaviour?

We will report posts and/or block users who direct messages at us, our representatives, and other users that breach this policy.

Where appropriate we will refer the behaviour to the relevant disciplinary body within the RIBA.

We encourage you to support us in creating a positive environment by reporting inappropriate behaviour on our channels to support@riba.org.

Who does RIBA follow?

Please remember that our decision to follow other users and accounts does not imply endorsement. The RIBA does not endorse any particular practices, architects, goods, services or products. We follow social media accounts that we believe are relevant to our work, the work of our members and the wider built environment. This could include following the accounts of organisations and commercial enterprises (and/or their employees or representatives).

What about RIBA staff or representative accounts?

Some RIBA staff, trustees and representatives post under their own names or pseudonyms. Despite their affiliation with RIBA, their posts do not represent the official position of the RIBA. They do have a responsibility, however, to ensure that their posts do not contravene any policy or code which applies to their role.

How are RIBA’s social media channels monitored?

Our @RIBA Twitter account is monitored from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm GMT. Tweets may be published outside these hours if they are prescheduled or respond to breaking news.

Our other social media accounts are monitored and updated on a varying schedule.

We read all Direct Messages but, due to the large volume of traffic, it is not always possible to respond to every post, response, question or message. Any questions or comments that require urgent attention should be emailed to support@riba.org.

If content is posted on social media channels which the RIBA deems to be contrary to the spirit of this clause and the nature of the channel, the RIBA reserves the right to remove that content from the platform.

How should I raise a complaint under this policy?

If you notice content that doesn’t adhere to this Policy, or that might place either RIBA, the membership, profession or individuals at legal or reputational risk, please contact support@riba.org. The support team will refer these reports for investigation by the relevant team and, if necessary, start any disciplinary or conduct action.

How do I raise a media request?

Media requests should be emailed to press.office@riba.org

RIBA reserves the right to modify or change this policy at any time.

If you require these to be sent to you in a different format, please contact support@riba.org.

Updated June 2022.