Government agencies have a unique challenge managing their presence on social media. It's not easy to balance a trustworthy and informative presence with a human voice - and maybe some occasional fun. Check out how these government agencies are keeping their audiences informed and engaged with the power of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Twitter

NASA (@NASA)

It's one of the most followed government accounts with over 8 million followers. NASA does a great job of interacting with fans, and are a continuous example of how a government social media account should be handled. NASA has helped a new era of citizens stay engaged and interested in space exploration via social media.

Explore the Asteroid Redirect Mission & preparations for next @Space_Station crew launch on This Week @ NASA. Watch: pic.twitter.com/2P1yEqMfxQ

— NASA (@NASA) September 16, 2016

PIO Mike Jachles (@BSO_Mike)

Mike Jachles serves as the primary PIO for the Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services within the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Citizens should keep a close eye on his twitter feed for updates to breaking news stories and heartwarming animal rescues.

#animalrescue @BrowardSheriff #FireRescue saves #cat from house #fire 1300 blk SW50Av #media @peta pic.twitter.com/KuFU3rsJua

— PIO Mike Jachles (@BSO_Mike) September 19, 2016

City of Las Vegas (@CityOfLasVegas)

They're continuously sharing up-to-date information on city events, hosting Twitter chats, and live-tweeting major events. They stay engaged with the residents by encouraging feedback and responding to comments. They're keeping their audience informed and simultaneously telling an amazing story about their city. (We also think their GIF game is super strong! 💪) 

@seosmh @longislandtonv Yes! We already have some biking paths that go from one end of town to the other.

— City of Las Vegas (@CityOfLasVegas) September 13, 2016

Instagram

U.S. Department of the Interior (@usinterior)

No one shows off the beauty and diversity of America quite like the Department of the Interior. And there's no better place to do it than on Instagram. Don't let the name fool you, prepare youself for truly beautiful landscapes and the thing the internet loves the most... adorable baby animals. 

 

A photo posted by U.S. Department of the Interior (@usinterior) on Sep 12, 2016 at 8:28am PDT

 

A photo posted by U.S. Department of the Interior (@usinterior) on Feb 4, 2016 at 11:43am PST

NASA (@NASA)

Yes, we've included NASA twice. They do such an amazing job that when recounting the best government agencies on social media, it's hard not keep coming back to NASA. Instagram is the perfect way for the agency to share the beauty of space with an entirely new generation of Americans.

 

A photo posted by NASA (@nasa) on Jul 10, 2015 at 10:07am PDT

TSA (@TSA)

Before you go rolling your eyes as you remember your last encounter with TSA... get a new look at this government organization through the lense of Instagram. Both entertaining and informative, they regularly post tips and tricks (#TSATravelTips), as well as bizzare and interesting finds (#TSAGoodCatch).

 

A photo posted by TSA (@tsa) on Jun 3, 2015 at 3:32pm PDT

 
Facebook

FEMA (@FEMA)

FEMA has a great Facebook page, with plenty of preparedness planning checklists. They also do a great job with updates and combining of text and graphics to keep their fans engaged.

City of New York (@nycmayorsoffice)

The City of New York's Facebook page is focused on celebrating stories of hope and inspiration, as well as keeping the citizens informed on the latest across the city.

Have you ever wondered how Jon Stewart, Steven Colbert and John Oliver are able to sift through all the chaos of cable news to bring you the most ridiculous of the ridiculous?

Like a media-focused Indiana Jones, Editor Tony Maglio from TheWrap.com set out to explore just how these shows are able to stay current with face-paced news and media night-after-night. What he discovered was the secret technology behind your favorite late-night comedy shows. (Spoiler Alert: The secret technology is SnapStream!)

Read the full article at TheWrap.com.

Spring is in the air, and it's the perfect time for road trips. This month, we're leaving Houston in the rear view, touring to Kansas, Georgia and Ontario to convene with three different government crowds. The schedule of events is leaning towards public safety, information and communication.

Along our way, we'll pick up our friends from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Overland Park Fire Department and Plano Police Department.

Once we're cruising, we'll get to talking about television monitoring, workflows and best practices, all from the PIO's point of view. (PIO = public information officer)

First stop, Kansas

KAPIO | Lawrence, KS | Thurs. May 13, 12 pm

SnapStream, I've a feeling we're not in Houston anymore. We're hightailing it to Kansas for the first, ever, statewide gathering of PIOs, not to mention officers from surrounding states like Missouri. We are thrilled to be a part of the Kansas Association of Public Information Officers' inaugural conference, where we're hosting the headlining educational seminar.

Panelists: Tom Erickson, president of KAPIO and PIO for Johnson County Sheriff's Office, and Jason Rhodes, PIO of Overland Park Fire Department

Next up, P-I-O' Canada!

IACP PIO | Toronto, ON | Fri. May 21, 8:30 am

The week after KAPIO, we're trekking to Toronto for a friendly meet-up with our neighbors to the North. American and Canadian public information officers will come together at this joint event between the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) for an open exchange of information and training across borders.

Panelists: From the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Steven Lusignan, Media Monitoring and Analysis Unit of Public Affairs and Communications Services, and David Patterson, Operational Readiness and Response Coordination Center

A Peachy Finish

IACP LEIM | Atlanta, GA | Thurs. May 27, 10:15 am

Last in the lineup, we head to the Peach State for the 34th annual IACP Law Enforcement Information Management (LEIM) training conference, where we'll learn about the technology that battles crime and helps departments run at tip-top speed.

Panelists: From the Plano Police Department - Rick McDonald, Public Information Officer, and Heather Bowden, PIO Coordinator

Oh, the places we go! That wraps up the trips for May. Thanks to everyone who's coming along for the ride.