A forgotten tweet: Somalia and social media

Abstract

Several studies highlight the power of social media outlets to raise awareness, funds, and further recovery efforts in disaster-prone areas, but few have investigated where social media have been ineffectual. Although the long-running humanitarian crisis in Somalia receives only sporadic news coverage, the country is not without a social media presence. This study uses Coombs’ SCCT Model to evaluate the crisis response message strategies put forth via Twitter from leading Somali-based government agency sources. The limitations of social media as a force to exact change and manage crises in Africa is examined, and insight is offered into how social media channel information to traditional and non-traditional information sources.