The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) utilizes social media platforms to connect with the public, share information about Mississippi's natural resources, promote outdoor recreation, and engage in meaningful conversations related to our mission of conservation, education, and outreach. We encourage your participation and value your contributions to our online community.

This policy outlines the guidelines for engagement on all official MDWFP social media channels, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. By interacting with our social media pages, you agree to abide by this policy.

1. Purpose of MDWFP Social Media:

Our social media platforms serve as a valuable tool for:

  • Disseminating official news, alerts, and information regarding wildlife, fisheries, parks, and related regulations.
  • Educating the public on conservation efforts, species management, and outdoor safety.
  • Promoting hunting, fishing, boating, and other recreational opportunities.
  • Sharing success stories, photography, and engaging videos.
  • Facilitating constructive dialogue and answering general inquiries.
  • Receiving public feedback on relevant topics within our purview.

2. Commenting and Engagement Guidelines:

We encourage a respectful and productive environment for all users. While we welcome diverse viewpoints, certain types of content are not permitted and will be removed. Comments, messages, or any other user-generated content that contains the following will be removed without notice:

  • Profanity and Obscenity: Use of foul, vulgar, or obscene language.
  • Hate Speech: Language that promotes discrimination, hatred, or violence against individuals or groups based on attributes such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.
  • Personal Attacks and Harassment: Derogatory, threatening, or harassing comments directed at individuals, including agency staff, other users, or public officials.
  • Threats and Incitement to Violence: Any language that threatens harm, incites violence, or encourages illegal activities.
  • Confidential or Private Information: Disclosure of personal identifying information (e.g., addresses, phone numbers, email addresses) of oneself or others.
  • Spam and Commercial Solicitations: Unsolicited advertisements, promotional content, or off-topic remarks. This includes repetitive posts, links to external sites that are irrelevant, or attempts to sell products/services.
  • Misinformation and Disinformation: False or misleading information that could cause public harm, undermine public trust, or misrepresent MDWFP's mission or activities.
  • Copyright or Intellectual Property Violations: Posting content that infringes on the intellectual property rights of others.
  • Off-Topic Content: Comments or discussions that are unrelated to the original post or the mission of MDWFP.
  • Illegal Activities: Promoting or encouraging illegal activities.
  • Political Endorsements or Campaigns: Promoting or endorsing political campaigns, candidates, or ballot measures. As a state agency, MDWFP must remain non-partisan.

3. Enforcement and Consequences:

  • Our social media team regularly monitors comments and content on our platforms.
  • We reserve the right to remove any content that violates these guidelines at our sole discretion.
  • Individuals who repeatedly or egregiously violate this comment policy may be subject to being blocked or banned from interacting with our official MDWFP social media platforms. This action is taken to protect the integrity of our online community and ensure a positive and safe experience for users of all ages.

4. Public Records and Privacy:

  • Please be aware that comments and posts on our social media channels may be considered public records under Mississippi law.
  • Do not post any personally identifiable information (PII) on our social media pages that you are not comfortable sharing publicly. MDWFP is not responsible for the public display of private information that users choose to post.
  • While MDWFP will not post PII of individuals, we may remove postings from the public that contain PII.

5. Third-Party Sites and External Links:

  • MDWFP's social media platforms are hosted on third-party sites (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, X). These sites have their own terms of service, privacy policies, and accessibility guidelines that apply to your use of their platforms. MDWFP is not responsible for the content or policies of these third-party sites.
  • Links to external websites or resources are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement by MDWFP.

6. Disclaimer:

The views and comments expressed by users on MDWFP social media pages do not necessarily reflect the official views or positions of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks or the State of Mississippi.

7. Contacting MDWFP:

Social media is not the primary channel for official communication, emergencies, or formal requests. For official inquiries, reporting violations, or specific assistance, please visit our official website at www.mdwfp.com or contact us via phone: Report a Violation – 1-800-BE SMART MDWFP Main Office – 601-432-2400 Law Enforcement – 601-432-2176

Policy Updates:

This social media policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in best practices, platform capabilities, or legal requirements. We encourage you to review it regularly.

Thank you for your cooperation in making our social media channels a valuable resource for all.