Intended Use Guidelines & External Content Policy

These guidelines address placement, use, and removal of external content that may be placed on or linked from the Washington State Military Department Website. This notice covers the following topics:

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Purpose

The Washington State Military Department recognizes that "external content" -- content that is provided by entities that are not part of government -- may be placed upon the publicly accessible Washington State Military Department Website operated by that organization. The Washington State Military Department does not intend that this website be an open public forum, and external content on pages operated by the Washington State Military Department will be permitted at the sole discretion of that organization.

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Applicability

This policy applies only to pages that are operated by the Washington State Military Department. 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 or furthers the specific purpose of a government organization's Website; or
  • On Websites or web pages not operated by the Washington State Military Department.

It may be in the public interest to include other content on the Washington State Military Department Website, such as;

  • Links to resources that are provided by others on websites outside of Washington State Military Department control;
  • Public acknowledgement of sponsors or other contributors of resources to allow the Washington State Military Department 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 the Washington State Military Department.

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Content Guidelines

In exercising its discretion to allow external content on the Washington State Military Department Website, the Washington State Military Department will be guided by the purpose of the Washington State Military Department Website, which is as follows:

The Washington State Military Department Website is intended to support, as efficiently, conveniently, and cost effectively as possible, and in a manner of presentation befitting government, 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 Websites provided by public agencies or non-profit, non-partisan organizations;
  • Location of public services;
  • Delivery of public services via the Internet.

The Washington State Military Department, 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:

  • Advocacy of or opposition to any politically, environmentally, or socially controversial subjects, issues, or candidates.
  • Disparaging or promoting any person or class of persons.
  • 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.
  • Promoting or inciting illegal, violent, or socially undesirable conduct.
  • Promotion or availability of alcohol or tobacco products.
  • Promotion or availability of illegal drugs.
  • Promotion or availability of adult or sexually oriented entertainment or materials.
  • Promotion, opposition, or availability of weapons.
  • Promotion, opposition, or availability of gambling.
  • Claims of efficacy, suitability, desirability, or other non-objective statements about businesses, products, or services.
  • Content that infringes on any trademark, copyright, or patent rights of another.
  • Claims or representations in violation of advertising or consumer protection laws.
  • Content that a reasonable citizen may not consider to maintain the dignity and decorum appropriate for the Washington State Military Department.

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Removal of Content

The Washington State Military Department reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to withdraw external content that otherwise meets its guidelines. This discretion may be exercised if the Washington State Military Department becomes aware, receives claims or allegations, or has reason to inquire whether, the content refers or links the viewer to content not on the Washington State Military Department 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 the Washington State Military Department is legally obligated to act upon any information of which it is aware.

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