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USING SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSIBLY 

Why it matters 

Social media can help amplify our impact, meet our business needs, and strengthen our connections with audiences, partners, co-workers, and other key stakeholders.
Personal use of social media at work may seem harmless, but please be aware that you can be held liable for any associated consequences if your personal posts implicate your work or violate Company policy. As employees, we are responsible for the content we publish online, so it’s important to be mindful of the risks involved and to exercise discretion at all times, across all platforms.

Examples of unacceptable use of social media:
  • Using, displaying, or storing written or graphic material – including slurs, personal insults, or obscenities – that ridicules or shows hostility toward a group or individual. 
  • Communicating specific threats of violence or encouraging acts of violence. 
  • Posting or distributing inappropriate content of yourself or others. 
  • Publishing or disclosing confidential or non-public information. 
  • Conducting or soliciting business of any kind on behalf of Paramount without authority. 
  • Making false statements about yourself, your role at Paramount, Paramount as a company, its divisions, or its affiliates.
  • Distributing any intellectual property without obtaining permissions or prior written approval in the case of Paramount content.

For more information, review our Social Media Policy

What it looks like in our day-to-day work
  • Seeking written approval before disclosing or referencing Paramount confidential or proprietary information, or that of any other person or company. When in doubt, asking your manager or Human Resources representative. 
  • Making clear that you are representing yourself, not Paramount (e.g., using the first person in your communications) when engaging in social media for personal use. Always keeping in mind that if you indicate where you work on your personal social media, people online might reach out to your employer to complain about your online actions. 
  • Maintaining different passwords for work use than the passwords you use for personal computing. Additionally, never following links or downloading software on social media pages posted by unverified individuals or organizations. 
  • Never conducting confidential business with a customer or partner through personal social media applications or sites.
  • Using your real name and title (not an alias) when you’re on social media for work – to ensure that Paramount’s professional and business standards remain intact. 
  • Adhering to the following standard prior to posting anything online for work: if something makes you even the slightest bit uncomfortable, stop and consult your manager or contact your Human Resources representative for appropriate next steps. 
  • Upholding our Company’s commitment to a harassment-free and inclusive workplace in your social media activity, including for personal use (which may become an issue in the workplace). Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action or even termination. 
  • Abiding by all of the policies contained in this Statement (noting that individual business units may have supplemental social media policies which also apply) and upholding Paramount values while communicating through social media for professional and personal use.

SPEAKING FOR THE COMPANY 

Why it matters 

It is important that our audiences, partners, investors, and other key stakeholders receive clear and consistent communications about our Company. Authorized Paramount spokespersons have the training and knowledge to best communicate Company announcements, business strategy and policies, and to represent our positions accurately. Sharing confidential and/or non-public business information or otherwise speaking on behalf of Paramount without the proper approval could expose our Company to legal or financial risk to which you may be held personally liable. 
 

Frequently asked questions
Q: What about philanthropy and business awards?

As a concerned and responsible corporate citizen, Paramount is committed to supporting worthy charitable organizations in its communities and industries. To help coordinate these efforts, we must obtain approval prior to accepting any invitation to be honored as a Paramount representative or taking a leadership position as a Paramount representative at a charitable event or organization. We must also clear in advance all charitable contributions using Paramount’s funds or resources by contacting the Paramount Corporate Social Responsibility Team (individuals who serve on the Board of Directors must obtain clearance from Paramount’s Corporate Secretary).

Q: Can I speak with a reporter “off the record” if I think that I won’t be quoted?

No. Even if you’re not quoted, there may be legal, financial, and competitive risks for both you and Paramount as a result of communicating with a reporter. These rules apply to all media contacts – do not speak “on” or “off the record” or offer unattributed or “background” information.

What it looks like in our day-to-day work
  • Being mindful that issuing news releases or written statements about Paramount’s business is the exclusive responsibility of the relevant Paramount Communications team. 
  • Forwarding all media requests – even those requests that seem informal – to Paramount Corporate Communications or to the relevant brand/division Communications team. 
  • Never posting any internal information about Paramount online, including on social media platforms, without prior approval. Prohibiting any outside consultants, bankers, law firms or other third parties working under our supervision from commenting on any Paramount matter without authorization. 
  • Consulting the relevant Paramount Communications team or Company designee (in addition to other necessary approvals) before accepting a speaking opportunity or engagement (e.g., speech, news interview, presentation, etc.). When speaking in public or at industry forums, always distinguishing personal views from those of Paramount. Members of the Board of Directors may contact Paramount’s Corporate Secretary with any questions about their participation in speaking engagements.
  • Notifying the relevant Paramount Communications team if you anticipate any contact with the media on non-Paramount business that could result in a reference to Paramount. Members of the Board of Directors should contact Paramount’s Corporate Secretary in this instance. 
  • Contacting a lawyer from your Legal Department immediately if an inquiry, call or other correspondence (e.g., a subpoena) is received from law enforcement, a regulatory agency or from an attorney regarding alleged violations of law or policies by individuals associated with Paramount.
  • Ensuring that any external-facing presentations – even if authorized by the relevant Paramount Communications team – do not include Company financial information unless such material is previously reviewed and approved by the Paramount Finance and Legal Departments. 
  • Requesting approval from the relevant Paramount Communications team before endorsing a product or business on behalf of our Company.

For more information, contact Paramount Corporate Communications.

PARTICIPATING IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS 

Why it matters

We support employees who wish to engage in the civic process in their personal capacity, whether it’s by volunteering for political campaigns, contributing money to candidates or political action committees (“PACs”) or sharing their political views. However, it should always be clear to outside observers that these are your personal activities and endorsements and not those of Paramount. 
Using Paramount’s name or resources in any way that suggests the company sponsors or endorses your activities distorts the democratic process and may violate federal regulations on political contributions. As a matter of law and Company policy, we never contribute Paramount funds, assets, services, or facilities to or on behalf of a U.S. political party, candidate, or PAC.

Key terms

Public Official:
An elected or appointed official, or any other official or employee, of any foreign, federal, state, or local legislature, executive branch agency or other government agency, commission, board, authority, or public fund, including government-owned enterprises such as film and media companies, or any other governmental or quasi-governmental entity. 
Paramount employees and directors may not offer gifts of any value to any public official, or to the official’s spouse or child without prior approval. Provision of any business courtesy, gift, payment, or entertainment to any federal, state, local or foreign government or political party official, employee, candidate, agent – whether made directly or through an intermediary – must be approved in advance by the Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy & Government Relations, and Paramount Global Compliance.

What it looks like in our day-to-day work
  • Complying with all relevant laws regulating the Company’s participation in political affairs, including political contributions. 
  • Ensuring that we do not use Company time, property, or facilities for any personal political activity. 
  • Never using Paramount’s name in a way that suggests the Company sponsors or endorses our personal political activities. 
  • Never pressuring fellow team members to make political contributions or to support or oppose candidates for public office. 
  • Obtaining approval from the Paramount Government Relations Office before engaging in any political activity on the behalf of the Company.
  • Obtaining approval from the Paramount Government Relations Office and Paramount Global Compliance as appropriate, before offering gifts of any value to any public official, or to the official’s spouse or child. 
  • Submitting the Authorization Form to Invite Government Officials to a Tentpole Event to Compliance and Government Relations for approval before offering tickets, accommodations, or transport to one of our tentpole events (such as the EMAs, KCAs, etc.) to a government official.

For more information, contact Government Relations.