Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

1-2018

Abstract

This study explores the implications of the digital network society for public health communication and management through an empirical study on communication related to the transboundary haze crisis in Singapore. Using the Social Amplification of Risk Framework (SARF), the authors applied sentiment and thematic analysis on haze-related posts on an online discussion forum (HardwareZone) and a social networking site (Facebook), as well as to haze-related articles in The Straits Times (a newspaper). The study shows that the medium matters in social amplification of risk: Facebook had an effect on the amplification of emotions while HardwareZone and Straits Times did not. In addition, the results show that spikes in online risk amplification were strongly influenced by unprecedented events. They also suggest that anger expressed online may be linked to a sense of futility. Implications for practice and recommendations for future research are provided in the conclusion.

Keywords

Social amplification of risk, environmental risk, Internet, sentiment analysis

Discipline

Business | Health Communication

Research Areas

Corporate Communication

Publication

Health Communication

Volume

33

Issue

1

First Page

14

Last Page

21

ISSN

1041-0236

Identifier

10.1080/10410236.2016.1242031

Publisher

Taylor and Francis

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2016.1242031

Share

COinS