Eman Hassaballa Aly, Social Media Manager; Reuben Rios, Social Media Coordinator; Deanna Bellandi, MPH, Manager, Media Relations (JAMA Network)

“All we want are the facts.”

Sgt Joe Friday, Dragnet

Social media is an important tool for promoting content published in JAMA and the JAMA Network family of journals to the research community, physicians and other health professionals, and lay audiences. Doing that means following a set of guidelines meant to ensure accurate and responsible social media posts.

JAMA Network Social Media Guidelines

• Content published in social media sites is subject to the same norms, standards, and regulations as is all other published content.¹
• Be respectful.²
• Use proper grammar, spelling, and capitalization.³
• Abbreviations may be used provided they can be easily understood in context.
• Avoid texting jargon, such as “U” for “you” or “L8” for “late.”³
• Do not use sarcasm, irony, satire, or absurdities.⁴
• Reflect diversity.⁴
• Use language that is nondiscriminatory.⁵
• Do not include negative comments directed at any person, group, or institution.
• Do not use offensive content (including, but not limited to, racist, sexist, ageist, anti-LGBTQ, and antireligious.)⁶
• Do not include sexually suggestive images or video (eg, genitalia, breasts, buttocks) or those that portray sexual assault/abuse.
• Do not use language, images, or other content that reinforces stereotypes.⁵
• Use individuals’ preferred pronouns when known; inclusive pronouns (they/them) are acceptable.^4,5
• When reporting the results of a study or describing a specific journal article, replace personal pronouns (I and we found) with reference to the study or the article type (eg, Viewpoint, Review).
• When mentioning people/Twitter handles, do not editorialize or designate appellations (eg, do not say, “The great [@Twitter handle] discusses…”).
• Do not use profanity or vulgarity.^2,6
• Do not include emojis based on gender or race.⁴
• Do not include identifiable patient content without permission.¹
• Do not share confidential information.⁷
• Do not share information that is embargoed or before publication date and time.
• Do not include quotes, images, photos, or video from other social networking sites or third-party publications without permission and attribution to the source.⁸
• Do not share others’ social media posts that do not follow these guidelines.
• Correct posts with errors transparently and as soon as possible. For example, add a new post clarifying the correction, and include the word “correction.”

Posts that do not follow these guidelines may be removed.

Tweet Formatting

• The basic format of a tweet consists of text, links, and hashtags handles with optional attached video and images (up to 4 images per tweet).
• Length: the maximum length for JAMA Network tweets is 257 characters. Twitter limits to 280 characters, but because JAMA Network always includes a link, 23 characters are reserved for the link.
• Hashtags should be limited to 3 per tweet.
• Twitter handles should be included if there is room. Handles should be limited to authors and institutions directly related to the content of the tweet.
  • Example: Tweet text (including relevant @mentions and #hashtags), Link, Other @mentions (if not directly mentioned in the tweet), Other hashtags (if any, and if space permits).

References

1. Christiansen C, Iverson C, Flanagin A, et al. 5.9.5. Social Media and 5.11.19 Social Media. In AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors. Accessed March 24, 2021. https://www.amamanualofstyle.com/view/10.1093/jama/9780190246556.001.0001/med-9780190246556-chapter-5-div2-230
2. Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. Social Media Guidelines. Accessed April 2, 2021. https://www.gcccd.edu/marketing-communications/social-media-guidelines.html
3. Christiansen C, Iverson C, Flanagin A, et al. 7.11. Grammar in Social Media. In AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors. Accessed March 24, 2021. https://www.amamanualofstyle.com/view/10.1093/jama/9780190246556.001.0001/med-9780190246556-chapter-7-div1-138
4. Sehl K. How to Create Effective Social Media Guidelines for Your Business. Hootsuite. Blog. February 3, 2020. Accessed April 2, 2021. https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-guidelines/
5. United Nations. Guidelines for gender-inclusive language in English. Accessed April 2, 2021. https://www.un.org/en/gender-inclusive-language/guidelines.shtml
6. CollegeGrad. 10 Things You Should Never Post on Social Media. Accessed April 2, 2021. https://collegegrad.com/blog/10-things-you-should-never-post-on-social-media
7. Storey V. Social Media Guidelines or Policy?  Social Media Today. May 17, 2011. Accessed April 2, 2021. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/social-media-guidelines-or-policy/475646/
8. Associated Press. Social Media Guidelines for AP Employees. Revised May 2013. Accessed March 24, 2021.  https://www.ap.org/assets/documents/social-media-guidelines_tcm28-9832.pdf