DISASTER COMMUNICATION THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AS A MEANS OF INFORMATION AND EDUCATION FOR BENGKULU COMMUNITIES

Bengkulu is an area that is prone to natural disasters in terms of its geographical condition.
In addition, Bengkulu is currently facing non-natural disasters, one of which is the global
COVID-19 pandemic. In dealing with disasters, it is necessary to have effective
communication from the government to the community. With the current social
restrictions, the use of media is one of the important things in communication. This study
aims to analyze the communication carried out by the Bengkulu’s Regional Disaster Relief
Agency in an effort to provide disaster information and education to the community. This
study observes and analyzes the content shared by the Bengkulu’s Regional Disaster Relief
Agency on its social media pages (Facebook and Instagram). The research findings that the
content displayed on the agency's social media is generally the form of reporting. The
information shared is information when a disaster occurs, such as the magnitude of the
earthquake and the number of COVID-19 cases. This information is not followed by pre�and post-disaster information. The content produced also does not open up space for
interactivity to the audience. Other content is in the form of ceremonial activities. This
shows that the Bengkulu’s Regional Disaster Relief Agency has not made disaster education
efforts through social media. The media agenda that is prepared only aims to show the
performance of the agency to the public.
Keywords: bengkulu, disasters communication, information and education, social media.