PDC External Links Policy

Purpose

The Public Disclosure Commission recognizes that "external content" content that is not directly provided by the PDC -- may be placed upon the PDC's publicly accessible website (www.pdc.wa.gov) operated by the PDC. The PDC does not intend that www.pdc.wa.gov be an open public forum, and external content on pages operated by PDC will be permitted at the sole discretion of PDC.

Applicability

This policy applies only to pages that are operated by PDC. This policy is not intended, and shall not be construed, to prohibit external content that is:

• Required or authorized by law;
• Constitutes official government business;
• Furthers the specific purpose of a government organization's web page; or
• On web pages not operated by PDC.

It may be in the public interest for PDC to include on www.pdc.wa.gov:

• Links to resources that are provided by others on websites outside of PDC control;
• Public acknowledgement of sponsors or other contributors of resources to allow PDC to expand the on-line information and services; and
• Advertising revenues to decrease costs and expand the offering of information and services.

External content therefore includes, but is not limited to, links, acknowledgements, and advertisements on pages operated by PDC.

Content Guidelines

In exercising its discretion to allow external content on www.pdc.wa.gov, PDC will be guided by it's mission statement, which is as follows:

The Public Disclosure Commission was created and empowered by Initiative of the People to provide timely and meaningful public access to information about the financing of political campaigns, lobbyist expenditures, and the financial affairs of public officials and candidates, and to ensure compliance with disclosure provisions, contribution limits, campaign practices and other campaign finance laws.

www.pdc.wa.gov is intended to support that mission statement and in so doing offers the following uses by citizens, businesses and public employees:

• Location of and access to useful public information provided by public agencies or non-profit, non-partisan organizations
• Location of public services
• Delivery of public services via the Internet

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

1. Advocacy of or opposition to any politically, environmentally, or socially controversial subjects, issues, or candidates.
2. Disparaging or promoting any person or class of persons.
3. External content not suitable for readers or viewers of all ages, or links to or other promotion of businesses whose products or services are not suitable for persons of all ages.
4. Promoting or inciting illegal, violent, or socially undesirable conduct.
5. Promotion or availability of alcohol or tobacco products.
6. Promotion or availability of illegal drugs.
7. Promotion or availability of adult or sexually oriented entertainment or materials.
8. Promotion, opposition, or availability of weapons.
9. Promotion, opposition, or availability of gambling.
10. Claims of efficacy, suitability, desirability, or other non-objective statements about businesses, products, or services.
11. Content that infringes on any trademark, copyright, or patent rights of another.
12. Claims or representations in violation of advertising or consumer protection laws.
13. Content that a reasonable citizen may not consider to maintain the dignity and decorum appropriate for PDC.

Removal of Content

PDC reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to withdraw external content that otherwise meets its guidelines. This discretion may be exercised if PDC becomes aware, receives claims or allegations, or has reason to inquire whether, the content refers or links the viewer to content not on PDC's website that is either violative of any of the above listed guidelines, except No. 10, or would be reasonably likely to offend a reasonable citizen. Withdrawal of content on these bases will be permitted whether or not PDC is legally obligated to act upon any information of which it is aware.