Code of Conduct

1. Purpose

CitizensRatings.com is a public platform for citizens to share informed, constructive opinions about government officials, institutions, NGOs, religious leaders, celebrities, and corporate entities. This Code of Conduct ensures all contributions are truthful, respectful, and lawful, in service of building accountable leadership and civic awareness.

2. Core Principles

✅ Truthfulness – Share only what you personally know to be true.
✅ Civility – Express opinions without insults or hate.
✅ Accountability – Accept responsibility for what you publish.
✅ Constructive Dialogue – Promote positive change, not personal attacks.
✅ Respect for Privacy – Protect confidential and personal information.

3. Who Can Post

You may post a review if:
👥 You have direct experience with the individual or institution (e.g., as a citizen, customer, employee, congregant, beneficiary, etc.).
👥 You are expressing a genuine opinion based on firsthand knowledge or public actions.
👥 You are not affiliated in a way that would create a conflict of interest (e.g., self-promotion or coordinated campaigns).

4. Allowed Subjects

You may rate or review:
💼 Government officials (elected, appointed, or civil service).
💼 Government institutions (ministries, agencies, district offices).
💼 NGOs and development programs.
💼 Religious bodies and leaders (churches, mosques, pastors, imams).
💼 Private companies and their executives.
💼 Public figures (celebrities, influencers, entertainers) in their public roles.

5. Prohibited Content

The following types of content are strictly not allowed and may lead to suspension or legal reporting:
🚫 Hate speech, slurs, threats, or incitement of violence
🚫 Defamation – Unfounded accusations of illegal activity without credible evidence
🚫 Profanity, vulgarity, or obscene language
🚫 Discriminatory remarks about race, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, or age.
🚫 Sexual allegations or innuendo.
🚫 Sharing private information (e.g., phone numbers, home addresses, financial details).
🚫 False impersonation or impersonating public figures.
🚫 Posting links, advertisements, or spam.
🚫 Review bombing (posting multiple negative reviews in coordination).

6. Content Guidelines

When writing a review:
✅ Focus on performance, leadership, service delivery, ethics, and public engagement.
✅ Be respectful, even if critical—attack actions, not character.
✅ Use clear and specific language to support your opinion.
✅ Acknowledge both positive and negative aspects if possible.
✅ Do not reference or attack other users’ reviews.

7. Special Notes by Category

✅ Public Officials: Review based on service delivery, integrity, responsiveness, etc.
✅ Government Institutions: Review on efficiency, accessibility, transparency.
✅ NGOs: Base feedback on program impact, accountability, ethics.
✅ Religious Leaders: Limit comments to public conduct, leadership style, not private or theological beliefs.
✅ Celebrities: Focus on public behavior, influence, and societal impact.
✅ Businesses & CEOs: Rate based on customer experience, ethics, leadership, and service quality.

8. Moderation & Review

✅ All submissions are moderated for guideline compliance.
✅ Reports are reviewed fairly and without bias toward positive or negative feedback.
✅ If you see a violation, use the "Report" feature under the comment.
✅ Moderators may remove or reinstate content, but will not edit reviews to change tone or opinion.

9. Legal Responsibilities

✅ You are legally responsible for your posts.
✅ CitizensRatings.com is protected by platform liability laws under the Communications Decency Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. Sec. 230).
✅ Content will not be removed in response to legal threats unless ordered by a valid US court.
✅ Any threats of violence or hate speech will be reported to law enforcement.

10. Enforcement

Violating this Code may result in:
⚠️ Warning or content deletion
⚠️ Temporary or permanent suspension
⚠️ Reporting to relevant authorities in severe cases

11. Final Note

CitizensRatings.com exists to strengthen public accountability and dialogue. Use this platform with courage, respect, and responsibility—your voice matters.