Governance

I. Scope and Definitions

The objective of this policy is to ensure that AAPM website content is consistent with the organization's Code of Ethics, mission, and objectives. The scope of this policy includes all content hosted by and under the control of the AAPM, which may take any form including but not limited to the following:

• Recorded speech of AAPM event participants (e.g., presenters or participating attendees)
• Text and graphics used within presentations and website content
• Presentation handouts, continuing education assessments, job postings, etc.

Website content must respect the diversity of individuals and groups comprising and interacting with the AAPM. Race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, age, physical appearance, disability, veteran status, marital status, and sexual orientation, among other attributes, must be respected. Content must avoid the use of epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, or demeaning jokes which have a discriminatory basis related to characteristics of specific individuals or groups. It must respect the unique backgrounds of individuals by avoiding the trivialization of traumatic experiences (e.g., self-harm, slavery, genocide, etc.), and must avoid the needless use of vulgar or crude language and imagery. Additionally, website content must be consistent with the AAPM Code of Ethics as it pertains to the confidentiality of patient data, respect for intellectual property, and ethical presentation of scientific data.

Content which fails to meet these standards relative to its purpose may be considered inappropriate and subject to action according to this policy.

Context must be considered when determining whether content may be inappropriate. For example, professional or educational discussions of issues related to sexuality, race, or cultural matters are not inherently inappropriate and may have important value for AAPM efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Content outside the scope of this policy, but still considered inadvisable, includes misleading or incorrect information, false advertising, confusing information, commercial bias, and other forms of bias. Content on the AAPM BBS is covered by AP 103, (AAPM BBS Forum Policy).

II. Reporting

The AAPM will maintain a system for receiving reports of potentially inappropriate or offensive content. This will include a mechanism for collecting these reports from attendees of AAPM Events, from users of websites which are under the control of the AAPM, and other reporting avenues that are identified as necessary. Reports may be submitted anonymously.

III. Reported Content Review

The Working Group on Management of Inappropriate Content (WGMIC) is tasked with the review of content that is reported as potentially inappropriate. Responsibilities of the WGMIC include determination of whether the reported content meets the previously described standard of inappropriateness and what mitigation strategy is appropriate in each situation. Due to the sensitive nature of this process, content review and discussion will occur in a closed session attended only by the WGMIC membership. Decisions by the WGMIC to act on reported content requires an affirmative vote by a simple majority of the full WGMIC voting roster. Records of WGMIC actions will be kept available for at least two (2) years following the conclusion of all related proceedings and independent assessments.

IV. Independent Assessment

Affected individuals or complainants may request an independent assessment of WGMIC decisions, and these assessments will be handled by EXCOM.

Reports of observed offensive or inappropriate content should follow the procedure at this [LINK].