Citizens’ use of microblogging and government communication during emergencies: A case study on water contamination in Shanghai

Authors

  • Qianli Yuan
  • Mila Gascó

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v23i4.8367

Abstract

This study explored how citizens and governments used microblogging for communication during the water contamination incident in Shanghai, China. Based on analysis of both citizen and government microblogging posts, this study showed citizens can use microblogging to engage in the emergency response in four different ways, while governments mainly applied a push strategy for communication. Although public organizations showed a weak sign of using a pull strategy, the overall misalignment in the use of microblogging limited its benefits as an interactive platform where additional network collaboration can be developed. This study contributes to understanding how citizens actually use microblogging during an emergency and how governments adapt to the observed users’ behavior over time. Further research is needed to explore how governments can use pull or networked strategy to maximize the benefits of microblogging.

Author Biographies

Qianli Yuan

Ph.D. student in the Department of Public Administration and Policy, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany, SUNY.

Mila Gascó

Research Associate Professor in the Department of Public Administration and Policy, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and the Associate Research Director in the Center for Technology in Government, both at the University at Albany, SUNY.

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Published

2018-04-01

How to Cite

Yuan, Q., & Gascó, M. (2018). Citizens’ use of microblogging and government communication during emergencies: A case study on water contamination in Shanghai. First Monday, 23(4). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v23i4.8367