Topic Areas

Suitable topics for blogs include those which:

• Illustrate a government priority, program or activity and the benefit it has for people
• Frame public policy challenges or dilemmas, including those which might involve future legislative or policy decisions
• Clarify or clear up misunderstanding of an issue or decision
• Respond to or comment upon topical issues in which government has a perspective or role
• Can be expected to generate a response from or dialogue with citizens

Tone and Language

• Keep it conversational but professional
• Use the language of everyday speech and keep the words short and simple
• Be direct
• Don’t be stuffy
• Avoid jargon and acronyms
• Be respectful of your audience, which will be diverse
• Show passion for the subject of the post. Write expressively but not flowery.

Style and Format

• Illustrate the impact of a government program or initiative with real-world examples.
• Whenever possible, use personal experience to engage the reader.
• Keep your post short. Under 350 words is ideal.
• Keep a single focus to your post. Don't try to introduce more than one topic in a post.
• Link to further information both inside (at least one link) and outside government. This will help keep your post short and encourage further exploration of the topic by the reader.
• Encourage reader interaction or response.
• If you have an appropriate photo, video clip, map or other image, for which government has publishing rights, submit it.
• When submitting, use as little formatting, (bold, italics, etc.) as possible and use plain text and numbers (no subscripts, etc)
• When blogging, remember that the Web has a long memory so carefully choose your words.
• Write a short one sentence bio of who you are to go at the end of the post.

Naming Names

You can cite people or organizations in your blog that have taken public positions, in media stories, blogs etc., without seeking prior permission. If the person you want to quote or refer to has not made his or her views known in a mass, open environment, you should ask their permission first.

Comments Section

• Comments sections will be moderated and defamatory comments will not be posted
• Posters will be required to register and log-in
• Readers posting comments will be permitted to use nom-du-plumes
• Bloggers should be prepared to read and respond to comments or engage in private, offline exchanges with readers