Acehnese People’s Information Seeking Behavior about COVID-19

Abstract

This research aims to identify types of media used by the Acehnese people in seeking information about COVID-19, and people’s perceptions and responses to the information that increases their likelihood of the risk of the pandemic. This study employs a quantitative approach, in which an online survey distributed through social media. All 324 respondents gave their consent to participate in filling out the research questionnaire. The study found that Acehnese people prefer online media and television (TV) to receive information about COVID-19, especially when people can access the information online (streaming). The finding indicates that people tend to trust information obtained through the media more than direct information (face to face) conveyed by the government. Regarding the public responses, this study found that most respondents argue the lack of government action in disseminating information about COVID-19. It is believed that this condition is likely to bring up false information (hoax) from untrustworthy information sources. This response has an impact on the level of public trust towards the government as the main source of information in handling the pandemic. Respondents claim that the local government has a slow response in providing information about people who are infected by the virus, including insufficient information on the intervention of prevention and treatment carried out to stop the spread of the virus.

Efficacy information in Government's initial responses to Covid-19 pandemic: A content analysis of the media coverage in Indonesia

“…The emergency nature and limited credible sources that can convey one-way official information to the public are the reasons for the less efficacy information that the public expected. The insufficient information by the media information has the potential to generate hoaxes or false information submitted by untrustworthy sources [ 25 , 36 ]. In addition, what was reported in the media tends to be inconsistent with what happened in the field.…”

Acceptance of Covid-19 Vaccination in Aceh Province

“…Both goals are divided into general and specific goals. Specific objectives will pay attention to the conditions of the promotion target from three things: cognitive, affective, and behavioral aspects (Leonita & Jalinus, 2018;Rosemary, Syam, Anisah, Yanuar, & Putra, 2021). Regarding vaccination, the cognitive side is the community that needs information about the importance of vaccination, and the affective side is the group of people who know the importance of vaccination but have doubts about halal vaccination.…”

“…However, the media messages tend to be too general to focus on the importance of the Covid-19 vaccine and lack attention to the audience's background, needs, and expectations. This condition will likely affect how people accept the messages (Rosemary et al, 2021). .…”