ESPN has updated its social media policy for talent and reporters to adopt a more common sense approach for the use of social media services such as Facebook, Twitter and message boards.

The new policy, which is less than a page in length, has very simple instructions that make it clear what should and should not be shared on social networks. Here are a few of the guidelines:

• “Think before your [sic] tweet. Understand that at all times you are representing ESPN, and Twitter (as with other social sites) offers the equivalent of a live microphone. Simple rule: If you wouldn’t say it on the air or write it in a column, don’t post it on any social network.”

• “Think before you re-tweet. Intended or not, the dissemination of others’ tweets under your name represents an endorsement of that content – and can even be interpreted as information you personally are reporting. If you re-tweet inaccurate or inappropriate content, it can tarnish your credibility and that of ESPN.”

• “Do not break news on Twitter. We want to serve fans in the social sphere, but the first priority is to ESPN news and information efforts. Public news (i.e. announced in news conferences) can be distributed without vetting. However, sourced or proprietary news must be vetted by the TV or Digital news desks. Once reported on an ESPN platform, that news can (and should) be distributed on Twitter and other social sites.”

• “All posted content must be consistent with ESPN’s employee policies and Editorial Guidelines for Standards & Practices. This includes the existing Commentary and Media Criticism guidelines, and posts should not include any references to personal endorsements, promotions or business relationships.”

• “In most cases, content you tweet will also appear on ESPN.com. Editors will choose the social content to be posted, and ESPN.com will “simulcast” those sports-related tweets on sport, contributor and team pages.”

• “At all times, exercise discretion, thoughtfulness and respect for colleagues, business associates and fans.”

I’m not so sure that the second rule is all that fair. For instance, what if an ESPN reporter was amused by a satirical sports news tweet from The Onion? It seems a little unfair that they would not be able to retweet that to their followers. Retweets do not necessarily mean you are endorsing that content, so perhaps reporters should be allowed to include a disclaimer in their Twitter bio to that effect so they can retweet whatever they choose.

Overall though, it is a smart, effective social media policy that ESPN has established here. The sports network is following in the footsteps of organizations such as the BBC and the International Olympic Committee in focusing on a common sense approach to social media.