Social Media and Management of Covid 19 Information
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the Study
This study is set to examine Social media and the management of Covid-19 information in Port Harcourt. Specifically it is geared to:
- Examine if covid-19 information is been shared on social media.
- Determine the extent to which information on covid-19 shared on social media platforms is line with that of WHO.
- Examine the extent at which Covid-19 information shared on social media platforms is been managed.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Media and audiences during epidemics and pandemics
Epidemics and pandemics are a recurring feature in human existence (Cunha, 2004; Hays, 2005; Lattanzi, 2008; Morganstein et al., 2017; Velavan & Meyer, 2020). Also, a recurring feature is the reality that the media shapes the perceptions and self-understandings of people during these episodes. During epidemic and pandemic episodes, the media play a central role in setting the public agenda and the tone of public discourse. The media also becomes the main source of information and knowledge relied on by residents in communities, cities, and countries where such severe outbreaks are recorded (Clarke & Everest, 2006; Riaz, 2008). Through media platforms, journalists in their various categories create awareness about pertinent issues in society and foster understanding of such issues through their disseminated messages—with the messages having the potential to create, shape, and maintain pictures of reality that are implicated in the actions, inactions, and overall behavioural patterns of the consumers of such messages (Croteau & Hoynes, 2014; McCombs, 2002). A major aspect and component of the news stories and messages that shape public perceptions during epidemics and pandemics are the anxieties and fears embedded in the media messages that characterise these episodes, alongside other accompanying psychological stressors and behavioural responses. This is evidenced in studies that continuously point to the significant role that the media play as the main “conduit” through which ideas, news, and information that trigger these psychological stressors and behavioural responses flow (Akingbade, 2018; Croteau & Hoynes, 2014; Williams, 2013). This has seen the media in several countries described as being in the business of irrational fear-mongering through the dissemination of sensationalised headlines, news stories, and messages which have been proffered as the major source of misinformation during pandemic episodes (Cantor, 2002; Goode & Ben-Yehuda, 2011; Hoekstra et al., 1999; Seale, 2002). The quick spread of misinformation, attributed to the media, which paves way for fears during the early stages of disease outbreaks has been suggested to result from the lack of immediate access by journalists and other communication executives to confirmed facts and scientific information from peer-reviewed literature, as these mostly lag behind during epidemic and pandemic episodes (Akingbade, 2017; Allgaier & Svalastog, 2015; Bursztyn et al., 2020).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Social media and Management of Covid 19information. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of Social media and Management of Covid 19 information
Summary
This study was on Social media and Management of Covid 19information. Three objectives were raised which included; Examine if covid-19 information is been shared on social media, Determine the extent to which information on covid-19 shared on social media platforms is line with that of WHO and examine the extent at which Covid-19 information shared on social media platforms is been managed. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from social media users in Portharcourt. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
A significant amount of potentially dangerous misinformation has been generated about the COVID-19 pandemic, and much of it has been disseminated via social networks. This misleading news consists of different facets of the epidemic, which is capable of threatening public safety, which again aggravates crisis management. This false rumor about COVID-19 is disseminated faster than the virus, and it appears that HCPs are actively battling against two faces of the virus and the associated misinformation simultaneously. The key approach suggested in this review was also to correct misconceptions by health institutions experts. Although some studies stress that correct knowledge can be unsuccessful during any public health crisis but at the same time many researches demonstrated the efficacy of providing and transmitting truthful facts by health experts. We also suggest various methods for correcting misconceptions about health through social media, which involves timely expert advice, regular public health awareness, and correction program with periodic communication among general people and on media algorithms. We also want to draw attention to a correction program which will be successful if it is applied quickly and clearly, along with relevant document, at the same time evidence should also be provided and shown to the public. With all these above-mentioned ways one should always address the intellectual and emotional dimensions of the audiences during this phase of fear and anxiety. As the virus tends to be spread too quickly to interrupt but still too deadly to be ignored. There are many lessons learned during this corona epidemic, which will serve as a blueprint for coping with future pandemics, but the near future requires a sustainable new standard of management.
Recommendation
Should be good to educate general public about effect of misinformation on social and the implication
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