social media in crisis (2) · 2015. 10. 8. · overview: crisis communication . ... • social...

UKZN INSPIRING GREATNESS

Social Media in Political and Natural Crises: Tools, Incidents & the Future

Brett van Niekerk (UKZN)

Trishana Ramluckan (MANCOSA & UKZN)


Introduction

•  Social media has been used effectively in political crises and natural disasters

•  It may be suitable for Africa due to its accessibility on smart mobile devices, providing access to information on the move

•  As with most technologies, there may be limitations to its use & effectiveness


Presentation Outline

•  Overview of social media & crisis communication

•  Examples of social media use in crises, peace building, and conflict

•  Tools

•  Considerations for the future


•  A crisis is a severe interruption in the ‘normal’ economic, cultural, social and political life that threaten the objectives and continuation of the social structure, organisation or country.

•  Crises precipitate the increase in communication thereby presenting complex information environments.

•  Suggested characteristics: –  Timeliness

–  Relevancy & conciseness

–  Accuracy

–  Reach large percentage of target audience

Overview: Crisis Communication


•  Social media is rapidly becoming a ubiquitous information and communication tool

•  Unique features: –  User-generated content –  User collaboration –  Two-way communication –  Wide access

•  Social media is regarded as a useful tool for the rapid dissemination of information providing that it is properly organised to meet the objectives and goals for the specific agency

Overview: Social Media


INCIDENTS & EXAMPLES Social Media in Crises


•  Canadian seal hunt; 14,000 visitors. •  Pressure to provide HIV/AIDS drugs in Thailand. •  Amnesty International. •  Tcktcktck •  Invisible Children / Kony •  Kenya

•  Election hate speech (SMS)

•  Monitoring for election fraud

•  Monitoring/tracking pirates & insurgents in Africa

Examples: Campaigns


Examples

Philippines http://www.life.com/image/1316978

Moldova Iran

Urumqi/China

UK Riots

Occupy & Anonymous


Examples

Mozambique

N. Africa & Middle East... Egypt

Tunisia Uganda


•  Haiti •  Twitter to land plane

•  Updating of maps / location of refugees

•  Japan

Examples: Disaster Management

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/twitter-land-plane-aid-haiti-earthquake-victims-article-1.458599


•  Israel convoy incident

•  Wikileaks

•  Soldiers posting on social media compromise operations

•  Soldiers posting controversial images during and after military service

Examples: Security Issues


•  Global awareness of local issues

Example


TOOLS Social Media in Crises


Campaign Management

•  HootSuite •  Tweetdeck •  CoTweet •  Spredfast •  Engage121 •  Awareness social

marketing software

•  Wildfire •  buddy media •  ObjectiveMarketers •  SocialTalk •  Buzzom Premium


Campaign Management: HootSuite


Campaign Monitoring

•  Addict-o-matic •  Social Mention •  SiloBreaker •  Google Insights •  Google Analytics •  Watch that Page •  Info Minder


Campaign Monitoring: Social Mention


Campaign Monitoring: Silo Breaker


Campaign Monitoring: Addict-o-Matic


Ushahidi Platform

http://www.ushahidi.com/products


Ushahidi: Crowdmap

https://crowdmap.com/


CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Social Media in Crises


African Cyber-Space

Source: Song (2012) http://manypossibilities.net/african-undersea-cables/


•  Complex systems tend to: – Self-organise – Period of upheaval between to states (crisis?)

•  Socio-political systems are complex •  Social media has complex characteristics

•  Two complex systems interacting •  Difficult to predict effectiveness •  Context important

Complexity


•  Can’t predict impact – social context important

•  Security & malicious use

•  Penetration in Africa –  Internet: ~15.6% in 2012 –  Facebook: ~4.8% in 2012 –  Mobile: ~23% in 2006 to ~80% in 2010 –  Mobile broadband: ~1.8% in 2010 to ~3.3% in 2011

Sources: International Telecommunications Union http://www.internetworldstats.com/africa.htm#dz http://www.mobilemonday.net/reports/MobileAfrica_2011.pdf

Limitations


•  Social media useful •  Not a panacea

– Can be misused – Context is important

•  Social media combined with other media is very powerful (eg Kony)

•  Can be used for direct community involvement or indirect solutions (raising awareness)

Conclusion


Brett van Niekerk Trishana Ramluckan [email protected]

031 260 8521 [email protected]

031 300 7200

Questions / Comments

social media in crisis (2) · 2015. 10. 8. · overview: crisis communication . ... • social...

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