Key Takeaways
- Tropical Cyclone Jasper left 18 people stranded on the roof of a pub in Far North Queensland in 2023, and they were rescued thanks to social media and a backpacker’s satellite phone.
- The category two system brought record-breaking daily rainfall, destructive floods, and landslides across the region, and social media played a vital role in warning communities.
- However, misinformation was also being spread on social media platforms, which was a challenge for authorities to combat.
- The Queensland government has started using TikTok to disseminate information during natural disasters, but there are concerns about reaching the audience and combating misinformation.
- A study found that local residents were posting humor on TikTok, which was not providing specific information about the event, and some videos were providing people with a false sense of security.
Introduction to the Topic
The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Jasper left a trail of destruction in Far North Queensland in 2023, with 18 people stranded on the roof of a pub. The group was rescued thanks to social media and a backpacker’s satellite phone, which was used to call relatives in Scotland. The category two system brought record-breaking daily rainfall, destructive floods, and landslides across the region, making it possibly the wettest in Australian history. The Queensland government’s Office of the Inspector-General of Emergency Management (IGEM) found that social media played a vital role in warning communities, but misinformation was also being spread on the platforms.
The Role of Social Media in Natural Disasters
Social media has become an essential tool for disseminating information during natural disasters. However, it also poses challenges for authorities, such as combating misinformation and reaching the audience. Griffith University communication lecturer Susan Grantham said that it was hard for official government messaging to cut through to audiences on emerging platforms like TikTok. She collected and analyzed algorithmically delivered TikTok videos during Tropical Cyclones Jasper, Kirrily, and Alfred, and found that many local residents were posting humor on the platform, which was not providing specific information about the event.
The Importance of Official Messaging
Dr. Grantham said that official government messaging was essential during natural disasters, but it was challenging to reach the audience on social media platforms. She found that government accounts, including departments and political figures, had ceased using TikTok due to data concerns. However, by the time Tropical Cyclone Kirrily had crossed the state’s north coast in 2024, government accounts were being reinstated, and two videos from then-premier Steven Miles had appeared in the trending data of 50 videos. The new LNP government had a different approach during Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with Premier David Crisafulli live streaming the disaster briefing on his TikTok account, which had 35,000 people watching.
The Potential of Influencers in Disaster Management
Dr. Grantham said that there was a "fantastic opportunity" emerging for politicians and government agencies to work with "ethical content creators who want to use their platforms for good". She found that out of 300 videos collected from TikTok during Tropical Cyclone Alfred, 138 influencers appeared in the trending data. The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) spokesperson said that the agency was open to working with influencers to share important information, but it required a careful approach to ensure alignment of values. The spokesperson said that during Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the agency’s messaging was shared by influencers, the Bureau of Meteorology, the prime minister, the governor of Queensland, and even the NRL’s Penrith Panthers.
Conclusion and Future Directions
In conclusion, social media has become an essential tool for disseminating information during natural disasters, but it also poses challenges for authorities, such as combating misinformation and reaching the audience. The Queensland government has started using TikTok to disseminate information during natural disasters, and there is a potential for working with influencers to share important information. However, it requires a careful approach to ensure alignment of values and to combat misinformation. The QRA spokesperson said that the agency would continue to evolve its social media strategy in line with the government’s protocols, and that the use of alternative platforms was being considered. As natural disasters continue to affect communities, it is essential to develop effective strategies for disseminating information and combating misinformation on social media platforms.
