Many agencies are still anti-social media

Federal agencies have made various forays into using social media, for everything from diplomacy to facilitating Haiti relief efforts. But many agencies are still staying out of the pool.

A survey of federal employees last fall by Market Connections found that only 23 percent of respondents said their agencies use social media (25 percent didn't know) and that 60 percent said their agencies banned social media sites. Agencies within the Defense Department, which has been looking to take a balanced approach, were slightly more active in using social media than civilian agencies.