Social media has often leaped up during times of catastrophe by raising the voices of those who are in distress. It has become way more than just a way for individuals to interact online, but a way to spread news and information. In today's world, natural disasters have been occurring at an increasing rate. One natural disaster that social media has played a role in is the Mexico earthquake that occurred in September 2017.
Let us first begin by discussing the earthquake that took place in Mexico. According to Tom Wilmer of KCBX Central Coast Public Radio, "the September 19, 2017 magnitude 7.1 earthquake centered near Puebla, Mexico left more than 4,500 people injured and more than 220 dead in Mexico City alone." According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was 2.8 miles east-northeast of San Juan Raboso and 34.1 miles south-southwest of the city of Puebla, in Puebla state. Furthermore, according to Mexico News Daily, "a Mexico News Daily reporter in Oaxaca city described the quake as intense, while another reporter located in Mexico City reported it was much stronger than the September 7 event." The natural disaster left what is seen as the most lively city in Mexico in complete disarray, "windows buckled and shattered, falling several stories to the ground while thousands of people streamed into the streets running away from buildings and potential gas leaks." Additionally, among the victims, a significant number were children. According to Nicole Chavez of CNN, "President Enrique Peña Nieto said 22 bodies were found in the debris of an elementary school in Mexico City that collapsed due to the earthquake. At least 30 children were still missing Tuesday night, he said."
(Photographs according to Joshua Berlinger, Mariano Castillo, and Ray Sanchez, CNN)
Furthermore, many citizens have been blaming the government for the effects of the earthquake claiming that the corruption was responsible for the deaths and collapsed buildings. "Many of the 38 buildings in Mexico City that collapsed did so due to shoddy construction practices and corrupt building inspectors according to local activists," according to Wilmer. There has been an ongoing mistrust between the people and the local and government officials and leaders. For instance, one citizen of Juchitan, Mexico, Concepción Rueda Gomes, had been collecting food and supplies since the previous earthquake that had occurred in her hometown, however, when it came time to hand out the aid she sought out private agencies for help. According to Paulina Villegas of The New York Times, Ms. Rueda stated, “There was no way I was going to give away the help we raised to some local official or leader so he can just hand them out to his friends and family." So, we see how there is a mistrust between the Mexican government and its people, and at times of disaster, individuals turn to other, non-governmental means to seek help and raise their voice when in distress. Additionally, another means they have turned to is social media.
(Photograph according to Nicole Chavez, CNN) (Photographed by Brett Gundlock for The New York Times)
Throughout this ongoing natural disaster, social media has and continues to play a significant role. Mexican citizens have been angered by their president, Enrique Peña Niet, and his approval rating is at merely 17 percent since he took office in December 2012. Thus, they were inclined to turn away from official leaders for aid and sought to gain help through social media. According to Maya Averbuch of Wired, "Suspicion of the authorities was high. Even before the army, the navy, the police, and the civil protection unit mobilized, volunteers, had started creating informal brigades through WhatsApp, recruiting others to move rubble." Through social media, Mexico City residents volunteer to facilitate rescue teams and donate food and supplies to victims. The goal is "to connect one with the other so citizens who want to help know where to go and to direct them to where the help is most needed," according to Gisela Perez de Acha.
Twitter is one platform which has been highly used throughout the crisis. @ProjectPaz and KOOL A.D are examples of Twitter pages dedicated to helping the earthquake relief. Additionally, Sergio Beltran, a member of the WhatsApp group made up of lawyers, journalists, and activists, and others who met during the Yo Soy 132 movement, states, "I decided to create a map on Google Maps," he says, "with a layer showing the locations of all the collection centres and damaged buildings." Beltran aspired for people to use the map to easily find the places where donations or volunteers were needed the most, and additionally, hazardous areas to avoid. The following is an image of the map he created:
So, we see residents have using social media to spread information about the earthquake's aftermath. However, some of the information in regards to the earthquake and the relief is false and misguided. According to Madeleine Wattenbarger of Pacific Standard, "some used social media to coordinate the vast swaths of volunteers who turned out immediately after the quake. Others propagated rumors that stoked panic." Misinformation extended so much that the city government issued a warning against spreading non-corroborated information. Furthermore, Melissa Martinez Larrea, a professor of migration at Universidad Anahuac felt she had the appropriate skills to take on the problem of misinformation, "she could communicate, coordinate a team, and verify information." Thus, she created the Twitter account @JuntosSismoCDMX. Additionally, according to Ben Barber of Huffington Post, "Fake news had already gotten attention following the earthquake. Rumors that children were trapped inside a collapsed school in Mexico City led to a week-long search that found no evidence – other than rumors online – that any survivors were trapped inside." Thus, we see how social media is being used erroneously in regards to the September earthquake in Mexico.
Living in the world today, it is interesting to say how significant of a role social media plays in our lives. For instance, if we compare the global catastrophes of today to the ones in the past centuries, one interesting difference that can be pointed out is there are more first-hand and reliable sources. Anyone has the power to share information regarding a crisis, to the world, simply by gaining access to a computer or cell phone. What is important is that we use this power correctly and for the greater good.
