The Dynamics of Public Attention to Online Disaster Information

Abstract

This study explored the dynamics of public attention to online news on disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370). Results revealed that increase of public attention to news has a leading effect on media attention. Moreover, public attention is influenced by daily news pressure, square of timelines, news topic, nationality of media organizations. In addition, public’ interest in news content is different in various phases of the disappearance. In the early aftermath, public purse news on stakeholder responses, and then public attention focus shift to disaster survey. Finally, news on stakeholder responses and disaster relief attracts more public attention.