AUTHOR=Pengpeng Li , Fangqi Zhong , Qianru Zhuo 

TITLE=Communication Mechanisms and Implications of the COVID-19 Risk Event in Chinese Online Communities

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.809144

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.809144

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Based on the observation and content analysis of "Covid-19" on various media platforms, as well as in-depth interviews with the public, this study found that in the process of spreading epidemic information, the government and traditional media generally presented a communication mechanism of "information lag - news report - correction of mistakes - accountability - unified approach", while the specific communication mechanism of social media can be summarized into three stages: First of all, the social media "awareness, early warning, and diffusion" outbreak information, "from the bottom up" to attract the attention of mainstream media, reports, and official notification; Secondly, by using the strategy of "fear appeal", the risk perception and emotional reaction of the public were stimulated, and then the interpersonal communication, discussion, and network forwarding effect were enhanced. Finally, the comments of social media and mainstream media formed a dynamic cycle of "interaction-union-error correction", and completed a complete closed-loop of risk information dissemination.