2019/01/31 by Ashleigh M. Day, Sydney O’Shay, Matthew W. Seeger +1 · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Public Relations and Crisis Communication #Disaster Management and Resilience #Social Media and Politics
paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/10510974.2019.1567566
openalex publication_date 2019/01/31 · openalex created_date 2019/02/21 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Safe, clean water is necessary for health and wellbeing. Water issues affect minority and vulnerable populations at disproportionate rates, including the poor and racial and ethnic minorities. An investigation of the relationships of race, social media use, and informational sources during the municipal water crisis in Flint, Michigan reflects an instrumental view of communication and uses and gratifications theory in this study. Data from 208 Flint residents in 2016 indicated that African American respondents favored interpersonal networks and resources and were more likely than other racial groups to obtain current information about the water crisis via Instagram. Preferred channels and sources to receive additional crisis information varied on the basis of race.