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The rumouring of SARS during the 2003 epidemic in China
Author(s) -
Tai Zixue,
Sun Tao
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
sociology of health and illness
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1467-9566
pISSN - 0141-9889
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9566.2011.01329.x
Subject(s) - word of mouth , newspaper , china , folklore , typology , the internet , phone , narrative , politics , sociology , media studies , advertising , history , political science , anthropology , literature , business , art , world wide web , linguistics , philosophy , archaeology , computer science , law
By analysing rumour content as covered by major Chinese newspapers, this article explores the multiple dimensions of SARS‐related rumouring throughout China during the 2003 epidemic. Findings indicate a strong correlation between the scale of SARS infections and level of rumour activities across regions. As for channels of dissemination, the rumour process still found a natural habitat in word of mouth, while internet‐based platforms and cell phone text messaging emerged as viable grapevines. Our particular typology of SARS‐incurred rumours leads us to identify four distinct types of rumours: legendary rumours; aetiological narratives; proto‐memorates; and bogies. The four types of rumours are discussed against the background of superstitious beliefs, folklore practices, popular mentalities, and China’s particular socio‐political information environment.