Exploring rumor combating behavior of social media on NIMBY conflict: Temporal modes, frameworks and strategies

Abstract

With the development of social media, mass unreliable information is circulated which amplifies the impact on NIMBY conflict, which is caused by public concern about the negative externalities of development projects. Understanding the behavior of rumor combating provides significant insights for crisis management relating to public acceptance of large-scale infrastructure initiatives, construction projects or energy facilities. However, few studies have addressed how rumor combating behavior develops due to the online rumors in such crises. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the formation and the effect of rumor combating behavior on NIMBY conflict with the analytical framework by content analysis and curve fitting method based on Situational Crisis Communication Theory. In this framework, the temporal modes and frameworks evolution of the counter-rumors are illustrated, the influences and behaviors tendency of multiple rumor refuters are examined, and the effects of the rumor combating strategies are explored via acceptance analysis. The results show that there are two key diffusion cycles in the progress of rumor combating, and early counter-rumors can pre-emptively protect the users' attitude. The interactive features of the framework between rumors and counter-rumors vary at different stages and an Assessment framework can provide a quick response to combat rumors. In addition, Media practitioners and News organizations act as the bellwether in rumor combating action, while Individuals and Elites are the main forces as the rumor refuters. Refutation and Guide, fact-based rumor combating strategies, show great persuasive impact. These findings will help the government and relevant entities to implement rumor combating strategies to minimize the potential exacerbation of NIMBY conflict.