Social Media Approach to Crisis Communication during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis from Malaysian Perspective

Abstract

Social media is becoming the best platform for any communication during the new norm era. Nowadays, the government uses this platform in delivering messages to citizens during a crisis or disaster. Governments who are involved with a crisis such as an outbreak of the virus pandemic must have a plan to face the issue, especially a way to communicate with their people who may get a panic attack. Aims and Objectives: Thus, this study will prove about social media usage by the government in message deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic is the best method in handling crisis communication. For this research, researchers will focus on how the Malaysian government used social media in delivering information highlighting the importance and creating awareness among the public. Methodology: Three months of content analysis data from social media platforms such as Twitter will be collected for this qualitative research. Results and Findings: The research findings show that governments used Twitter not only to deliver information but also to highlight the importance and create awareness among the public.