Oklahoma Christian University and Ethical Social Media Posting Amid Covid-19

    Oklahoma Christian University, through its various social media accounts on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, has noticeably labeled any photographic imagery taken before the pandemic that accompanies new posts with "(📸 pre-COVID19)." Since these photographs were taken before the pandemic, there are obviously no masks or instances of social distancing. By labeling photos this way, Oklahoma Christian University may be trying to make sure posts don't receive unnecessary negative attention.

    Labeling new posts that use older photographs with "(📸 pre-COVID19)" is a quick and concise way to both inform the viewer that the image was taken before the pandemic, and also avoid the post receiving unnecessary negative attention. Since these photos were taken before the pandemic, they obviously do not follow proper Covid-19 prevention guidelines such as wearing a mask and standing six feet apart. In cases like promoting the school's basketball team, for example, it is a lot more engaging to post a picture with large, roaring crowds rather than one that is spaced out with empty seats and masked.

    OC infamously found itself in national news early last year after an incident with a recruiter and a local high school, and throughout the pandemic many universities have found themselves in national news for not following proper Covid-19 guidelines. OC may be attempting to get ahead of the curve by labeling photos in this way, avoiding unnecessary negative press that may try to use older photos to falsely paint the university as not properly following Covid-19 guidelines. 

    According to Social Media for Strategic Communication by Karen J Freberg, this could be considered as breaking the "Uniformity" social media sin. Freberg states that "having a consistent image is one thing, but having the same content on every platform is another." Although this breaks the uniformity rule, it may still be in OC's best interest to do so. Despite the uniformity among platform posts, the similarities in question are for the sake of public safety and image.