What can mass media do to control public panic in accidents of hazardous chemical leakage into rivers? A multi-agent-based online opinion dissemination model
Authored by Ling Tang, Lean Yu, Ling Li
Date Published: 2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.11.184
Sponsors:
Chinese National Natural Science Foundation
Platforms:
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Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
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Abstract
With the rapid development of the Internet, an emergency of the leakage
of hazardous chemicals into rivers arouses wide-ranging social
instability in terms of public panic, in addition to the physical
damage. Considering the important role of the online community system,
this paper explores a crisis information release strategy of the mass
media for controlling public panic stemming from emergency events. In
particular, a multi-agent-based simulation model is proposed for online
public opinion dissemination during emergencies in China that includes
four main agents: cyber citizens, opinion leaders, the government and
mass media. Using four typical accidents of hazardous chemical leakage
into rivers in China as case studies, interesting conclusions can be
obtained. (1) The mass media plays an extremely crucial role in guiding
public panic when emergencies occur by amplifying both the speed and
range of online opinion dissemination. (2) If the government conceals
the potential damage from the accident, the mass media should not follow
the government or immediately deny the government, which might instigate
a much larger-scale public panic. (3) If the government publishes the
truth, the mass media can support the government to help promote the
dissemination of online opinion and further mitigate public panic. (4)
The mass media should carefully observe online public opinion and report
the integrated result when most agents display positive emotions, thus
largely pacifying panicking agents. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights
reserved.
Tags
Simulation
Communication
Leadership
Mass Media
Emergency evacuation
Crisis management
Fire
Social-influence
Behaviors
Crisis information
Hazardous chemical leakage
Multi-agent-based model
Online opinion dissemination
Twitter
Public
panic