COVID-19 Communication in Portugal

Gonçalves, Gisela; Piñeiro-Naval, Valeriano; Toniolo, Bianca

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.6/14559

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Authors

Gonçalves, Gisela

Piñeiro-Naval, Valeriano

Toniolo, Bianca

Abstract(s)

This chapter explores the relation between information sources and citizen trust in government risk and crisis communication. For this, we developed a reflection with theoretical and practical implications from the data obtained in the case of Portugal along the second wave of COVID-19. A survey n = 460 of Portuguese citizens was collected from October to November 2021. Findings show that the most used channels to seek information are among the so-called mainstream media: television (80.5%) is the most used medium by citizens, followed by online news (73.3%) and radio (59.4%). However, the news media was not considered the most trusted source of information. Experts and health care personnel were the more reliable sources by the Portuguese. Data also indicates that people who often search for information on traditional media (especially television) have more trust in the government. On the other hand, people who often use scientific and institutional sources are more likely to trust health professionals. Results highlight a positive perception of government communication among respondents. There is also evidence that a greater use of news media increases trust in government sources, which also leads to a positive opinion about the crisis’s management process.