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CH 04      Scope of Content








                                   Portal for wider access.

                                c.  Announcements should be worded in simple English/Regional language
                                   depending on whom they are meant for.


                     4.3.3  Discussion Forums & Chat Rooms

                            Discussion  forums  are  becoming  an  increasingly  popular  tool  for  sharing
                            viewpoints  and  information.  Discussion  Forums  could  be  initiated  by  a
                            Department on any relevant topic of public interest and can prove quite useful in
                            obtaining opinions and viewpoints of the citizens on issues important for policy
                            making. Departments should use MyGov platform to conduct discussions.While
                            initiating an online discussion forum through any platform, the following should
                            be kept in mind:

                                a.  The purpose and objective of the Discussion Forum should be clearly
                                   defined.  Preferably,  an  initiating  document  or  background  paper
                                   explaining the topic of the forum may be provided on the site.
                                b.  Clear-cut Terms and Conditions for posting content in the Discussion
                                   Forum should be indicated. Policy related to content that must not be
                                   posted in the discussion forum (see box) should be defined.

                                c.  The discussion forums on a Government website should be moderated
                                   so that there is some control to avoid publishing unwanted content on
                                   the website. All the inputs submitted by the users may be reviewed by the
                                   moderator for context and appropriateness of the language or a provision
                                   for marking the post as spam may be provided to the users of the forum.
                                d.  The discussion forum should be open for a limited period of time and
                                   the validity of the same should be prominently indicated on the site.
                                   However, rather than closing the forum abruptly, it is advised that a
                                   summary  of  the  inputs  received  as  well  as  an  Action Taken  Report,
                                   if possible, should be provided on the website so that the visitors are
                                   assured that their inputs are being seriously considered and valued by the
                                   Department.

                             Chat Rooms

                             Chat rooms on a website could be used by citizens to exchange their viewpoints
                             on some common topic amongst each other as well as by the Departments
                             to facilitate an online conversation between a senior functionary and citizens.
                             Like Discussion Forums, Chat rooms should also follow a Policy related to
                             content that must not be posted by the users (see box). It is desirable that the
                             participants of an online chat through a Government Department’s website be
                             registered before they are allowed to login and post their messages. Permanent



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