Perceptions and engagement of Klang Valley urbanites on COVID-19 PSAs during the pandemic

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, rampant misinformation about the virus has created large-scale panic and uneasiness among the Malaysian public. In response to this threat, the Malaysian government launched public service announcements (PSAs) on COVID-19 in various media to increase public...

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Published in:SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research
Main Author: Ayub S.H.; Omar N.H.; Ahmad R.P.N.R.; Murad K.; Saabar S.S.; Faizal S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor's University Lakeside Campus 2022
Online Access:https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85147219679&partnerID=40&md5=defa521b7a0db605808bba1e7281114e
id 2-s2.0-85147219679
spelling 2-s2.0-85147219679
Ayub S.H.; Omar N.H.; Ahmad R.P.N.R.; Murad K.; Saabar S.S.; Faizal S.
Perceptions and engagement of Klang Valley urbanites on COVID-19 PSAs during the pandemic
2022
SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research
14
3

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85147219679&partnerID=40&md5=defa521b7a0db605808bba1e7281114e
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, rampant misinformation about the virus has created large-scale panic and uneasiness among the Malaysian public. In response to this threat, the Malaysian government launched public service announcements (PSAs) on COVID-19 in various media to increase public awareness and knowledge, specifically on recommended solutions. The messages in the PSAs were tailored to underscore the various phases of the pandemic to persuade public belief as well as nurture positive attitude and behavioural changes. The objectives of this study are: (1) to investigate the public’s information-seeking behaviours, (2) to investigate user perceptions and indicators of PSAs, and (3) to determine the effectiveness of PSAs as a communication platform to convey important information about the pandemic throughout the different Movement Control Order (MCO) phases. Through focus group discussions with eight urban Klang Valley informants, findings highlight the crucial elements in identifying motivation and factors of media preferences which affect how various media platforms benefit the Malaysian public. The findings also illustrate the need for the government to ensure that the content and context of the PSAs meet the audiences’ demographics in ensuring effective dissemination of information and awareness during a pandemic. © SEARCH Journal 2022.
Taylor's University Lakeside Campus
2229872X
English
Article

author Ayub S.H.; Omar N.H.; Ahmad R.P.N.R.; Murad K.; Saabar S.S.; Faizal S.
spellingShingle Ayub S.H.; Omar N.H.; Ahmad R.P.N.R.; Murad K.; Saabar S.S.; Faizal S.
Perceptions and engagement of Klang Valley urbanites on COVID-19 PSAs during the pandemic
author_facet Ayub S.H.; Omar N.H.; Ahmad R.P.N.R.; Murad K.; Saabar S.S.; Faizal S.
author_sort Ayub S.H.; Omar N.H.; Ahmad R.P.N.R.; Murad K.; Saabar S.S.; Faizal S.
title Perceptions and engagement of Klang Valley urbanites on COVID-19 PSAs during the pandemic
title_short Perceptions and engagement of Klang Valley urbanites on COVID-19 PSAs during the pandemic
title_full Perceptions and engagement of Klang Valley urbanites on COVID-19 PSAs during the pandemic
title_fullStr Perceptions and engagement of Klang Valley urbanites on COVID-19 PSAs during the pandemic
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions and engagement of Klang Valley urbanites on COVID-19 PSAs during the pandemic
title_sort Perceptions and engagement of Klang Valley urbanites on COVID-19 PSAs during the pandemic
publishDate 2022
container_title SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research
container_volume 14
container_issue 3
doi_str_mv
url https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85147219679&partnerID=40&md5=defa521b7a0db605808bba1e7281114e
description Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, rampant misinformation about the virus has created large-scale panic and uneasiness among the Malaysian public. In response to this threat, the Malaysian government launched public service announcements (PSAs) on COVID-19 in various media to increase public awareness and knowledge, specifically on recommended solutions. The messages in the PSAs were tailored to underscore the various phases of the pandemic to persuade public belief as well as nurture positive attitude and behavioural changes. The objectives of this study are: (1) to investigate the public’s information-seeking behaviours, (2) to investigate user perceptions and indicators of PSAs, and (3) to determine the effectiveness of PSAs as a communication platform to convey important information about the pandemic throughout the different Movement Control Order (MCO) phases. Through focus group discussions with eight urban Klang Valley informants, findings highlight the crucial elements in identifying motivation and factors of media preferences which affect how various media platforms benefit the Malaysian public. The findings also illustrate the need for the government to ensure that the content and context of the PSAs meet the audiences’ demographics in ensuring effective dissemination of information and awareness during a pandemic. © SEARCH Journal 2022.
publisher Taylor's University Lakeside Campus
issn 2229872X
language English
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