Citizen Journalism and Health Communication in Pandemics’ Prevention and Control

Abstract

AbstractCitizen journalism has introduced new ways of communicating and engaging the public. It has further created a shift in technology that enabled individuals to create and access more news faster than before. Thus, communicating health crisis no longer depends on the use of conventional media. The disruption in the communication landscape means that more people are now more conversant with the use of social media to create or access news. Citizen journalism has unlocked the information gateway and made pandemic reporting more viral and instantaneous, although with some shortcomings. Thus, news about the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic is readily available on the Internet and social media. This chapter, therefore, examines the impact of citizen journalism and health communication in pandemics’ prevention and control. Underpinned by the Health Belief Model and Theory of Reasoned Action, the chapter offers an insight into how citizen journalism could be effectively employed to communicate the prevention and control of pandemics. Relevant literature was systematically reviewed, and it shows that access to pandemic messages no longer follows the conventional process of news making and consumption as many people now actively albeit, unprofessionally, participate in these processes. Howbeit, the dangers of such unprofessional practice are admitted.