The Listserv
administrator/owner is responsible for:
1.
Managing the Listserv list(s), including adding and
removing subscribers, changing subscriber settings, and responding promptly to
inquiries
2.
Moderating the Listserv, including approving and
overseeing content and ensuring compliance with all applicable U.S. laws
3.
Requiring all subscribers to comply with these
APA Rules
4.
Sending each new subscriber a welcome message
containing these APA Rules
4.
Saving archived messages of their list(s) they
wish to retain, as the system does not store a backup
4.
Notifying the APA Listmaster
(Listmaster@apa.org)
when discontinuing duties as administrator
The APA
reserves the right to delete older archived messages and may remove inactive
lists as outlined in the List Retention Policy.
Rule
1:
Do not use the forum for illegal purposes, including but not limited to
defamation, violation of intellectual property laws, violation of antitrust or
unfair competition laws, racism, antisemitism, other forms of discrimination,
or violation of criminal laws.
a.
Copyright
- Referring to an article or news item with typical reference citations,
providing a brief quote, or offering a link to legitimate online published
content is permissible; list members should not post a full-text version of
published material to the listserv. Not infrequently a list member wants to
tell others about an article or news item related to the issues discussed on
the list. However, sending the entire article to the list, without the
permission of the author or publisher, results in a prima facie case of
copyright violation. While there can be defenses to a claim of copyright
infringement where the purpose of copying is clearly not for commercial
purposes (e.g. "fair use" or academic teaching exceptions), those
defenses are complicated, have been construed differently in different
jurisdictions and are not necessarily applicable to listserv distribution.
b.
Defamation and libel - In exchanges on the listserv and when referring to
others, avoid personal attacks and characterizations that question a person's
motives or qualifications. Sometimes a robust debate about ideas spills over
into attacks on the proponents or opponents of the ideas. List members need to
be reminded that a false statement that harms someone's reputation can be
actionable as libel. There is a substantial difference between disagreeing with
how someone did their research or treated a patient and accusing the person of
fraud or incompetence. Because negative statements that impugn someone's
professional qualifications can cause substantial economic and emotional harm,
this is an area for careful scrutiny. Keeping
criticism on an objective basis that is factually verifiable and skipping
personal commentary about character, competence or motive minimizes legal risk.
c.
Racism, antisemitism, and other discrimination - All participants on
APA-hosted listservs are expected to maintain civility, demonstrate respect,
and strive to uphold the psychological safety of all members. Posts must
reflect APA’s commitment to our core values of human dignity, equity,
diversity, and inclusion, and should foster a welcoming environment for all.
Hate speech or discriminatory content – including racism, xenophobia,
antisemitism, transphobia, Islamophobia, misogyny, ableism, or prejudice based
on age, religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation,
disability or any other group circumstances —is prohibited. Derogatory
language, harmful stereotypes, statements that demean or target individuals or
communities based on protected characteristics are not permitted. Members
are encouraged to engage in dialogue based on psychology and psychological
science that values a diversity of perspectives and experiences. Even
during difficult or controversial topics, it is essential to uphold the
association's principles of justice, human rights, fairness and dignity and
ensure that all participants feel safe and respected.
d.
Antitrust concerns - APA by its nature is subject to antitrust issues.
Discussions about rates charged, efforts to exert collective pressure on
payors, terms of contracts with insurance companies, internship salaries, etc.,
all are prohibited. The antitrust laws are broad and complex but on a very
basic level they operate to prohibit and even in some cases criminalize certain
anticompetitive agreements between competitors. A professional association like
APA is almost by definition a group of competitors that has come together to
pursue common interests. Where those common interests involve agreements on
such terms of competition as rates charged, salaries paid, standards applicable
to members of the profession, and other issues of the marketplace, the antitrust
laws apply. Listservs provide a written record of statements that can create an
antitrust risk even when there is no anti-competitive intent.
Rule
2:
Do not intentionally interfere with or disrupt other forum members, network
services, or network equipment. This includes distribution of unsolicited
advertisement or chain letters, propagation of computer worms and viruses, and
use of the network to make unauthorized entry to any other machine accessible
via the forum.
Rule
3:
Do not use the forum for commercial purposes. "Commercial" as used
for purposes of evaluating listserv messages means communications
whose primary purpose is to advance the business or financial interests of any
person or entity, or otherwise to promote a financial transaction for the
benefit of the author directly or indirectly. Examples of prohibited
communications include advertisements for products or services, notices
regarding rental of office space, or direct solicitations of listserv members
to purchase products or services.
a.
Permitted Communications - Examples of messages that may be of
financial benefit to listserv members but are not prohibited because they do
not primarily benefit the author include:
b.
Tax Exemption Considerations - The ban on commercial use is based on
legal requirements related to APA's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. This status
requires that:
Rule
4:
Do not use this forum for any communication that could be construed in any way
as support for or opposition to any candidate for a federal, state or local
public office. The Federal law providing for the American Psychological
Association's tax-exempt status absolutely forbids the use of APA resources or
facilities, including this forum, in any way that would even appear to support
or oppose such a political candidate.
a.
Political statements affecting tax exemption – Listserv exchanges
must avoid electioneering or endorsing a candidate for federal, state, or local
political office.
Using the
list to endorse political candidates can jeopardize APA's tax-exempt status
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. To maintain this status,
APA cannot be involved in or support electioneering or endorse candidates for
political office. APA must ensure its activities focus on the scientific,
educational, and charitable purposes for which it gained tax-exempt status.
b.
Lobbying Elected Officials Advocacy on substantive issues is separate
from electioneering for candidates. While electioneering is absolutely
prohibited, advocacy on legislative issues is not part of this prohibition.
However, for APA Divisions, "calls to action" asking listserv members
to contact their elected officials to express a view on legislation are
considered a statement of the Division under APA Rule 100-1.4, and are subject to the
mandatory review and disclaimer requirements therein. Such statements may not
be included on the listserv unless and until they have received such review
and, where appropriate, have included required disclaimer language.
Rule
5: Research Participation and Sampling - APA does not endorse or forward
requests for research participation to any APA listserv. Divisions may choose
to post requests for research participants to their listservs. Contact the
relevant Division's listserv administrator for more information.
a.
Limitations of Listservs as Research Samples:
1.
Administrators must notify the APA Listmaster (Listmaster@apa.org)
when discontinuing their duties
2.
Lists will be made inactive if:
o
The name of the current listserv administrator
has not been provided to the APA Listmaster (Listmaster@apa.org)
and if the list is an APA Division Listserv list, the Division Engagement
Office
o
The administrator's email address is no longer
valid
o
Mail from the Listserv server is blocked
o
The administrator does not respond to
communications
3.
Lists may be deleted after 21 calendar days if
issues remain unresolved
4.
Lists unused for 6 months or longer may be
removed
For
questions, concerns, or problems regarding the Listserv server, please contact:
APA Listmaster
Email: listmaster@apa.org
ITS
Department
American Psychological Association
750 First ST. N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002
Last Updated:
07/02/2025