Discuss the ways that the changing media landscape is affecting the psychosocial consequences of disaster

Special Topics: Conspiracy theories, Fake News, Social Media and Disaster

Listen to “The Daily” podcast episode from May 24,2018 (23 min) https://tinyurl.com/yb5o7uyl

Next, read these two articles, which can be found in Wk 11 Module’s “Additional Readings” folder.

• Psychological Outcomes in Reaction to Media Exposure to Disasters and Large-Scale Violence: A Meta-Analysis
• Social Media in Disaster Risk Reduction and Crisis Management

Social Media and the Internet undoubtedly give us helpful tools for crisis response and management. That said, there are negatives that can sometimes outweigh the positives.

1. Discuss the ways that the changing media landscape is affecting the psychosocial consequences of disaster, for better or for worse.

2. Reflect on the ways that media (social or otherwise) positively and negatively impact crisis management. How can we quell the rumor mill? How do we combat further traumatization?