Volume 4 | Issue 2 | 2021

Corresponding Author Affiliation*:  Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia.

Abstract:

In the 21st century, social media play an influential role in changing people’s lives from multiple viewpoints such as the communication process, teaching and learning system, healthcare sector, marketing, and crisis management. On the other hand, people can use social media to spread fake and disinformation during the emergency period. This review article articulates social media’s role in disaster management in Bangladesh towards the COVID-19 pandemic. A content analysis strategy has been exercised to gather data from different sources, including primary, secondary, and available sources.

In order to collect data, the author has accessed the open-access journal, online books, newspapers, magazines, government and non-government web portals. The article extends both positive and negative impacts of social media in disaster management in Bangladesh towards the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the data collected from reliable sources. Social media’s positive roles in the COVID-19 pandemic are practising citizen journalism, creating social awareness, maintaining communication in the emergency period, optimising recovery activities, and enhancing charitable donations. In contrast, social media’s negative impacts are spreading fake, false, and fabricated news regarding the coronavirus. In conclusion, Based on the discussion and evidence of the previous research result, some recommendations have been presented, such as educating people, focusing on account authentication, and enhancing government responsibilities to prevent the negative role of social media that can reduce the adverse part of social media platforms in the emergency period in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Social Media, Disaster Management, Crisis, Bangladesh, COVID-19 Pandemic.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37227/IJEKM-2021-03-39