The Da Nang government has warned its staff not to use social media during office hours, said Mr Nguyen Dang Truong, the Deputy Director of the city's Department of Information and Communications, in an official statement on Tuesday.

It is not clear how the ban will be enforced amid the increasing popularity of social networking sites across the country.

The statement has been sent to all administrative offices in the city to ensure strict compliance by every civil servant, especially Party members.

Government employees have been advised to use formal sources including the public media and the government’s online portals for news updates.

Local government officials and employees have also been warned not to retrieve, collect or share false and misleading information that distorts the Party’s policies and the state law; slanders individuals; or tarnishes the reputation of government agencies and organisations, according to the statement.

Government workers have every right to use Facebook but they should also be held accountable for the information they post online.

Police will tighten supervision of local news websites and suitable action will be taken against any violations, Mr Truong added.

(Source: VnExpress)