scholarly journals Are Chinese Netizens Willing to Speak Out? The Spiral of Silence in Public Reactions to Controversial Food Safety Issues on Social Media

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 13114
Author(s):  
Linjia Xu ◽  
Jiaying Liu ◽  
Jarim Kim ◽  
Myoung-Gi Chon
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Spiral Of Silence ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
The Spiral Of Silence

This study examines the influential factors posited by the Spiral of Silence Theory (SoS) in shaping people’s perceptions of the overall public opinion towards food safety issues in China and their willingness to speak out. Two highly controversial issues, including genetically modified (GM) food and food additives, are examined. Using an online opt-in panel in China, we collected survey responses from a total of 1089 respondents, with a comparable age distribution to that of Chinese netizens, as indicated in the most recent census. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions were conducted to make statistical inferences about the proposed research questions and hypotheses. Findings suggest that perceived opinion incongruence, self-relevance, and self-influence significantly affected the extent to which people were willing to express their opinions on social media for the genetically modified food issue, but not the use of food additive issue. The study provides evidence of the silencing effect on publicly expressing opinions about the food safety related issues in China and clarifies the potential boundary conditions of the SoS mechanism in the context of Chinese social media where the majority of public opinions come into formation.

Correcting Misperceptions About Genetically Modified Food on Social Media: Examining the Impact of Experts, Social Media Heuristics, and the Gateway Belief Model

2020 ◽  
pp. 107554702098137
Author(s):  
Leticia Bode ◽  
Emily K. Vraga ◽  
Melissa Tully
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
The Public ◽  
Scientific Consensus ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
The Impact

We experimentally test whether expert organizations on social media can correct misperceptions of the scientific consensus on the safety of genetically modified (GM) food for human consumption, as well as what role social media cues, in the form of “likes,” play in that process. We find expert organizations highlighting scientific consensus on GM food safety reduces consensus misperceptions among the public, leading to lower GM misperceptions and boosting related consumption behaviors in line with the gateway belief model. Expert organizations’ credibility may increase as a result of correction, but popularity cues do not seem to affect misperceptions or credibility.

Debunking Misinformation About Genetically Modified Food Safety on Social Media: Can Heuristic Cues Mitigate Biased Assimilation?

2021 ◽  
pp. 107554702110220
Author(s):  
Yuan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Social Endorsement ◽  
Biased Assimilation ◽  
Source Cues

Focusing on debunking misinformation about genetically modified (GM) food safety in a social media context, this study examines whether source cues and social endorsement cues interact with individuals’ preexisting beliefs about GM food safety in influencing misinformation correction effectiveness. Using an experimental design, this study finds that providing corrective messages can effectively counteract the influence of misinformation, especially when the message is from an expert source and receives high social endorsements. Participants evaluate misinformation and corrective messages in a biased way that confirms their preexisting beliefs about GM food safety. However, their initial misperceptions can be reduced when receiving corrective messages.

Employees’ knowledge, attitude and practice of food additives; impacts of an educational intervention

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1199-1212
Author(s):  
Amir Reza Moravejolahkami ◽  
Zahra Esfandiari ◽  
Hadiseh Ebdali ◽  
Marjan Ganjali Dashti ◽  
Akbar Hassanzadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude ◽  
Safety Attitude ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

Purpose Understanding consumers’ food safety practices are helpful in reducing foodborne illnesses. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of education on knowledge, attitude and practices toward food additives. Design/methodology/approach This interventional study was performed by random sampling of 826 employees in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences from January 2018 to March 2019. The knowledge, attitude and practices of the employees toward food additives were assessed by a self-administered and structured questionnaire. Two-month education was conducted visually by using pamphlets, posters and leaflets. Descriptive statistics and paired t-test were done by SPSS24 at significant levels of p < 0.05. Findings The results showed that the respondents were very concerned about preservatives, colorants, and artificial sweeteners in foods. Before the education, the percentages collected for the knowledge, attitude and practice were 79.0, 48.9 and 46.7, respectively. Overall, knowledge scores were improved from 79.0 to 88.9 per cent when the education was offered. Safety attitude scores significantly increased, with a 50 per cent difference between the pre and post values. A significant difference was observed in the percentage of knowledge, attitude and practice of the employers before and after education (p < 0.05). Almost half of the respondents chose leaflets and pamphlets as a preferable tool for learning. Originality/value Education may be needed for improving knowledge and attitude about food additives. It also helped the respondents to select healthier food. This study suggests more communication programs regarding food safety issues.

A change in the climate: Online social capital and the spiral of silence

First Monday ◽  
2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Sheehan
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Spiral Of Silence ◽  
Social Cooperation ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Bonding Social Capital ◽  
Bridging Social Capital ◽  
The Spiral Of Silence ◽  
Speak Up

This study explores the connection between online social capital and the Spiral of Silence. Online social capital is an individual’s network of social connections, a network that enables and encourages social cooperation. The Spiral of Silence theory suggests that an opinion can become dominant if those who perceive their opinion to be in the minority do not speak up because society threatens them with isolation. A study of 550 individuals explored their willingness to speak up on an issue, and assessed whether they thought they held a majority of a minority opinion. This study compared both their bonding social capital (via homogeneous networks) and bridging social capital (via heterogeneous networks) to their willingness to speak up and their perceptions of whether others held their opinions. Regression analyses shows that bridging social capital is a key influencer in people’s willingness to speak up in social media and other online venues.

Perceiving online public opinion: The impact of Facebook opinion cues, opinion climate congruency, and source credibility on speaking out

2020 ◽  
pp. 146144482093105
Author(s):  
Alisius D Leong ◽  
Shirley S Ho
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Opinion ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Source Credibility ◽  
Spiral Of Silence ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Speaking Out ◽  
The Spiral Of Silence ◽  
The Impact

The novel affordances and unique features on social media have transformed the way people assess public opinion. Drawing on the spiral of silence (SOS) theory, this study examines the roles that user-generated comments (UGCs) and aggregated user representations (AURs), represented by reaction emojis, play in shaping perceptions of the opinion climate. It also investigates how features on the platform trigger perceptions of source credibility to influence willingness to speak out. Results from a 3 (opinion cues: UGCs-only vs AURs-only vs UGCs and AURs) × 2 (opinion climate congruency: congruent vs incongruent) × 2 (source credibility: high vs low) between-subjects experimental design revealed that audiences perceived reaction emojis to reflect public opinion. Source credibility was found to affect willingness to speak out and moderate opinion climate congruency. The findings extend the SOS theory by highlighting the significant role that novel affordances have on SOS components operating online. Implications of the findings were discussed.

scholarly journals Communicating COVID-19 on Social Media: The Effects of the Spiral of Silence

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 66-85
Author(s):  
Arthur Atanesyan ◽  
Anahit Hakobyan ◽  
Bradley Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Presentation Mode ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Spiral Of Silence ◽  
Mass Communications ◽  
Self Presentation ◽  
Communicative Behavior ◽  
Official Position ◽  
The Spiral Of Silence

In this paper, the Spiral of Silence theory (SOS) in the study of mass communications is applied to examine the trends and mechanisms of public opinion in Social Media (SM), using the popular topic of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study includes a secondary analysis of the data on pandemic information consumption obtained through four mass surveys conducted in Armenia. In the period from July 1 to August 30, 2020, we also surveyed Armenian Facebook users by means of Google forms during the highest outbreak of the pandemic in Armenia. In particular, the study demonstrates that although the majority of people are well informed about both public conduct requirements and the sanctions for misconduct during the pandemic, they do not follow the rules but hide their real opinion, preferring to openly agree with the official position while silently breaking the rules (that is, they keep their silence). We have found a correlation between the opinion environment of “friends” and other Facebook users, and a willingness to express their own opinion. Due to the predominance of the self-presentation mode as a communication strategy on Facebook, there is a trend among Armenian users not to risk their reputation, and avoid possible critics by keeping silence, if the discussion goes against their opinion. The findings of the study might be helpful both for the further development of communication theories and its application to the conditions of new pandemic reality, and for a better understanding of communicative behavior mechanisms in SM.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Social Media Users’ Emotions Regarding Food Safety Issues: Content Analysis of a Debate among Chinese Weibo Users on Genetically Modified Food Security

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Hao Xiong ◽  
Shangbin Lv
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Information Environment ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Communication Capacity ◽  
Emotion Intensity ◽  
Emotion Type

Social media is gradually building an online information environment regarding health. This environment is filled with many types of users’ emotions regarding food safety, especially negative emotions that can easily cause panic or anger among the population. However, the mechanisms of how it affects users’ emotions have not been fully studied. Therefore, from the perspective of communication and social psychology, this study uses the content analysis method to analyze factors affecting social media users’ emotions regarding food safety issues. In total, 371 tweet samples of genetically modified food security in Sina Weibo (similar to Twitter) were encoded, measured, and analyzed. The major findings are as follows: (1) Tweet account type, tweet topic, and emotion object were all significantly related to emotion type. Tweet depth and objectivity were both positively affected by emotion type, and objectivity had a greater impact. (2) Account type, tweet topic, and emotion object were all significantly related to emotion intensity. When the depths were the same, emotion intensity became stronger with the decrease in objectivity. (3) Account type, tweet topic, emotion object, and emotion type were all significantly related to a user’s emotion communication capacity. Tweet depth, objectivity, and user’s emotion intensity were positively correlated with emotion communication capacity. Positive emotions had stronger communication capacities than negative ones, which is not consistent with previous studies. These findings help us to understand both theoretically and practically the changes and dissemination of user’s emotions in a food safety and health information environment.

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