November 2015 Paris Terrorist Attacks and Social Media Use: Preliminary Findings From Authorities, Critical Infrastructure Operators and Journalists

Petersen, L., Fallou, L., Havârneanu, G., Reilly, P. , Serafinelli, E. and Bossu, R. (2018) November 2015 Paris Terrorist Attacks and Social Media Use: Preliminary Findings From Authorities, Critical Infrastructure Operators and Journalists. In: 15th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (ISCRAM 2018), Rochester, NY, USA, 20-23 May 2018, pp. 629-638. ISBN 9780692127605

Abstract

Crisis communication is a key component of an effective emergency response. Social media has evolved as a prominent crisis communication tool. This paper reports how social media was used by authorities, critical infrastructure operators and journalists during the terrorist attacks that hit Paris on 13th November 2015. A qualitative study was conducted between January and February 2017 employing semi-structured interviews with seven relevant stakeholders involved in this communication process. The preliminary critical thematic analysis revealed four main themes which are reported in the results section: (1) social media is used in crisis times; (2) authorities gained situational awareness via social media; (3) citizens used social media to help one another; and (4) communication procedures changed after these critical events. In conclusion, authorities, citizens and journalists all turned to social media during the attack, both for crisis communication and for increasing situational awareness.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Reilly, Dr Paul
• Authors: Petersen, L., Fallou, L., Havârneanu, G., Reilly, P., Serafinelli, E., and Bossu, R.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• ISSN: 2411-3387
• ISBN: 9780692127605

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