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ESPN Regulating Facebook, Twitter Usage of Employees

by Caleb Johnson on August 6, 2009 at 01:09 PM

Lately, it seems like everyone is putting the clamps down on Twitter and other social networking sites, so it's only natural that ESPN, the Big Brother of sports broadcasting, is the next in line.

The New York Times reports that ESPN issued 12 social networking guidelines to its employees Tuesday. Now, on-air talent, writers, and reporters are not allowed to have a sports-related Web site or blog. In addition, they'll need approval from a supervisor to even talk about sports on any social networking site. Is ESPN really that power hungry? Apparently so; if an employee disobeys, he can be suspended or fired.

At least one employee isn't too happy about his restricted cyber-freedom. NBA writer and analyst Ric Bucher tweeted: "The hammer just came down, tweeps: ESPN memo prohibiting tweeting info unless it serves ESPN... My guess is I can still tweet about my vacation/car shopping, etc." Company reps responded by saying that the guidelines aren't meant to "diminish" the effectiveness of social networking, and that Bucher's "interpretation of the policy is mistaken."

This all still sounds a little suspicious, though. What's next? ESPN making its employees pray to Mickey Mouse? Remember, Ric: "Big Brother ESPN is watching you." [From: The New York Times]

Tags: athtweets, bans, espn, facebook, social networking, SocialNetworking, sports, top, twitter

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