Government Social Media Messages across Disaster Phases

• Published in: Journal of contingencies and crisis management Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 230 - 243
• Main Author: Wukich, Clayton
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.2016
• Subjects: Citizen participation; Disaster recovery; Emergency communications systems; Emergency preparedness; Government; Intergovernmental relations; Management of crises; Mass media; Prevention; Public administration; Public policy; Risk; Social networks; Studies; United States > US
• ISSN: 0966-0879; 1468-5973
• DOI: 10.1111/1468-5973.12119

Social media platforms allow emergency managers to augment traditional approaches to crisis communication. Research on government messaging, however, disproportionately addresses large‐scale disaster response efforts, neglecting smaller‐scale incidents and activities across other disaster phases (e.g., prevention, mitigation, preparedness and recovery). This article offers a more complete analysis of messaging strategies by integrating existing typologies and analysing state‐level emergency management agencies in the United States over a one‐year period. Findings illustrate a range of messages, with response and preparedness being most prevalent. While all agencies disseminated protective action messages, situational information and preparedness guidance, fewer engaged in more interactive tactics that facilitate public participation and interagency collaboration. More work, therefore, is needed to pursue social media's full potential in promoting risk reduction.