The Power of Social Media in Framing Natural Disaster Issues at BMKG Indonesia

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Source: Frased and Dutta (2008)

Utilisation of social media in the government officially to support the public services is still considered relatively new when compared with the private sector and individual interests. To date, social media as knowledge management systems, particularly subject for disaster and emergency management began to be used for communicating risk. For example, social media applications and technologies have been used by government responding to disasters in Haiti earthquake (Yates & Paquette, 2010). Mendonca et al (2007) examine that social media is able in response support disasters preparedness, including the need for cross-boundary collaboration.

Taylor and Kent (1998) became a pioneer in a study of organisational strategy in building a relationship over the internet with a dialogical two-way communication. Taylor and Kent noted that internet provides opportunity to create a public relations organization through a dialogical component that allows input and communication to the public. Examples of dialogical component which are proposed including forums comments and e-mail contact form. By having a two-way dialogue through social media, in the case of the American Red Cross uses social media reports providing faster service for publics, generating more media coverage, and receiving negative and positive feedback from stakeholders to improve the organization (Briones et al, 2011).

However, there are many obstacles in the implementation of using social media. The most frequently cited barrier to using social media was resources, specifically time and staff.  Also, another problem is the staff from an older generation usually unfamiliar with new advanced technology. This translated into a view that an obstacle to using social media is that it alienates the older generation.

All in all, related to technologies advanced, in addition to using a rich variety of social media, we should also continue to use old media to accommodate the wider public attention. H K B N – #SiapUntukSelamat, #BMKG