Social Media Use By New Jersey Municipalities: The Risks and Rewards

by Sean D. Dias on September 11, 2012

Municipalities across the country are increasingly using social media to keep in touch with their citizens. In fact, sites like Twitter and Facebook are credited with playing a valuable role in the wake of Hurricane Isaac by keeping residents of impacted communities informed of road closures, power restoration efforts, and other important storm-related information.

In New Jersey, many municipalities have set up Facebook and Twitter accounts to publicize events, programs, and services. For instance, communities are using social media to spread the word about street sweeping, upcoming local elections, and library programs. Public offices also list their hours of operation, location, and contact information on their social media home pages.