Mortality Reporting and Rumor Generation: An Assessment of Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

Authors

  • Elizabeth L. Andrade Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA Author
  • Nicole D. Barrett Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA Author
  • Mark C. Edberg Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA Author
  • Maria I. Rivera Rivera Group, Washington, DC, USA Author
  • Ljubica Latinovic Risk Communication and Community Engagement Senior Expert, Mexico Author
  • Matthew W. Seeger Author
  • Ann Goldman-Hawes Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA Author
  • Carlos Santos-Burgoa Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA Author

Keywords:

crisis communication, disasters, mortality, rumor generation

Abstract

This study assessed the Government of Puerto Rico’s crisis and emergency risk communications following Hurricane Maria and the post-disaster information environment to identify factors that may have contributed to negative public perceptions of mortality reports. Data included Government of Puerto Rico press releases, press conference audio recordings and Facebook Live transmissions, digital media news and social media commentary, and interviews with Government of Puerto Rico personnel and community stakeholders. Study findings indicate that inadequate crisis communication planning and training, coupled with information gaps and inconsistencies, contributed to rumors around the issue of mortality. As a consequence, the Government of Puerto Rico lost the ability to effectively manage messaging, thus decreasing their credibility, perceived transparency, and public trust. Recommendations regarding future preparedness activities and research are offered.

Downloads

Published

2020-03-09

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Mortality Reporting and Rumor Generation: An Assessment of Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. (2020). Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 3(1). https://jicrcr.org/index.php/jicrcr/article/view/14

Similar Articles

1-10 of 70

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.