Petition 08-2027 (Social Media Conduct)

Describe the Issue

Social media has become an important part of the horse racing industry. Comments, posts, videos, photographs and other online communications can be viewed and shared by large audiences and can have a significant impact on individuals and on the public reputation of Alberta horse racing. A clear rule is needed to establish that licensees are expected to maintain appropriate professional standards when using social media or electronic communications in connection with horse racing, while preserving the right of licensees to express legitimate opinions and criticism.

What specific problems or concerns are involved in this issue?

Social media can provide an immediate and highly public platform for personal attacks, harassment, intimidation, abusive language, discriminatory comments and seriously derogatory statements involving other licensees, racing officials, employees and participants. Unlike an isolated disagreement at a racetrack, an online post can be viewed, shared and circulated indefinitely and can reach people outside the racing community. This can escalate disputes between participants, damage professional relationships, undermine confidence in racing officials and negatively affect the public perception and reputation of the Alberta racing industry. The proposed change is not intended to prevent legitimate criticism or disagreement. Licensees should continue to be able to respectfully question decisions, express opinions and raise concerns about HRA, racetracks, officials or industry issues. The purpose is to establish a clear standard for conduct that crosses the line from legitimate criticism into abusive, threatening, harassing or seriously unprofessional behaviour.

Who does the issue affect?

The issue affects all licensed participants and other persons involved in Alberta horse racing, including owners, trainers, jockeys, drivers, grooms, breeders, veterinarians, racing officials, judges, stewards, security personnel, HRA employees and other licensed participants. It also affects racetracks, racing associations, horsemen's associations, HRA and the broader racing industry because public online conduct can affect the reputation, integrity and public perception of Alberta horse racing.

What existing HRA rules relate to this issue?

Rule 286 g – Conduct prejudicial to the best interests of horse racing is directly related to this issue.

What solution does this proposal provide?

This proposal would amend Rule 286 g to specifically recognize social media and electronic communications as an area in which licensed participants are required to maintain professional and respectful conduct.

The amendment would also clarify that legitimate criticism, disagreement with a decision, or expression of an opinion is not, by itself, a violation of the rule.

How will the solution fix the problem?

The proposed rule would provide HRA, Judges and Stewards with a clear and consistent standard for addressing serious online misconduct. It would remove uncertainty about whether conduct occurring through Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, websites, messaging platforms or other electronic communications falls within the professional-conduct requirements of the Rules.

How will the change affect any entities or stakeholders?

The proposed change will affect licensed participants by establishing a clear expectation that professional standards apply to their racing-related social media and electronic communications. HRA, Judges and Stewards will have clearer authority and guidance when dealing with serious online misconduct. Racing associations and racetracks should benefit from a more respectful and professional racing environment and reduced public conflict between participants. The change should have minimal impact on legitimate communication because it does not prohibit criticism, disagreement or personal opinions simply because they are critical of HRA, racing officials or racing decisions. The rule would apply primarily to conduct that crosses the line into abusive, threatening, harassing, discriminatory or seriously derogatory behaviour.

What are the benefits of the proposed change?

The proposed change would:

Establish a clear and modern standard for social-media conduct.
Promote professionalism and respect throughout the racing industry.
Provide greater protection for licensees, officials and employees from online harassment, intimidation and abuse.
Help protect the reputation and integrity of Alberta horse racing.
Give Judges, Stewards and HRA clearer regulatory authority to address serious online misconduct.
Reduce the potential for online disputes to escalate into conflicts at the racetrack.
Provide consistency between expectations for conduct in person and conduct through electronic communications.
Encourage participants to resolve legitimate disagreements through appropriate and professional channels.

What are the possible drawbacks of the proposed change?

The primary concern is that a social-media rule could be perceived as restricting a licensee's ability to express opinions or criticize HRA, racing officials or racing decisions. This concern can be addressed through clear wording that distinguishes legitimate criticism and good-faith opinions from abusive, threatening, harassing, discriminatory or seriously derogatory conduct. There will also be some additional investigative work required to determine the context and circumstances of reported online conduct. However, this is expected to be limited to complaints involving conduct that falls within the scope of the proposed rule.

For those stakeholder groups that have expressed an opinion, please list the points on which they agree or disagree, and the arguments they have expressed.

So far have not received any feedback

Are there any affected stakeholder groups that have not been consulted on this proposal?

Possibly the racetracks

Please show new language in a new paragraph below the current wording. If you are proposing that current rule language be eliminated, please indicate the text to be deleted with [DELETE: copy to be deleted in square brackets]

Rule 286 g – Conduct prejudicial to the best interests of horse racing (1) A person violates these rules who: (a) in the opinion of the judges/stewards board, conducts themselves in a manner prejudicial to the best interests of horse racing; or (b) does not comply with these or any other rules. (2) All Licensees shall conduct themselves in a professional, respectful, and orderly manner while on the grounds of any licensed racetrack, during any racing-related activity under the jurisdiction of Horse Racing Alberta, or when engaging in social media or electronic communications relating to horse racing or the Alberta racing industry.

(3) Any licensee found to be engaging in past or present conduct deemed disruptive, unprofessional, or abusive, including but not limited to the following, may be subject to disciplinary action by Horse Racing Alberta: (a) Verbal abuse, physical or sexual misconduct, or discrimination; (b) Behaviour that compromises the safety of others; (c) Use of profane, obscene, or threatening language; (d) Engaging in harassment, intimidation, or abusive behaviour; (e) Interfering with the duties of racing officials or security investigators; (f) Engage in conduct detrimental to the integrity, reputation, or orderly conduct of racing; (g) Publishing, posting, transmitting, reposting, sharing, or otherwise communicating through social media or other electronic communications material that is threatening, harassing, intimidating, discriminatory, abusive, obscene, or constitutes a seriously derogatory personal attack against another licensee, racing participant, racing official, HRA employee, security investigator, veterinarian, racetrack employee, or other person involved in horse racing, where the conduct is connected to horse racing or the Alberta racing industry. (h) Knowingly engaging in online conduct intended to harass, intimidate, threaten, or cause serious reputational harm to another person involved in horse racing.