The 31 Days Of Social Media Turbulence Since The Disappearance Of MH370
It has been 31 days since MH370 went missing on 8 March 2014 and the past four weeks has been a roller coaster of emotions for social media users. SAYS takes a look back at the highlights of these 31 days.
By Mei Mei Chu — 07 Apr 2014, 05:13 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
WEEK 1
Malaysia woke up to shocking news of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappearing without a trace on the morning of 8 March 2014
Malaysia woke up to shocking news of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappearing without a trace on the morning on 8 March 2014
Image via thejournal.ieWithin hours, rumours, theories and fake reports spread like wildfire. False reports continue to trend on social media for weeks to come despite requests from the authorities to stop sharing unverified news.
False reports continue to trend on social media for weeks to come despite requests from the authorities to stop sharing unverified news.
Image via imgur.comThe stories of the 239 passengers onboard missing MH370 touched the hearts of social media users
The stories of the 239 passengers onboard missing MH370 touched the hearts of social media users
Image via says.comMore details about MH370 pilot Captain Zaharie started to surface and the world learnt that he was deeply passionate about flying
More details about MH370 pilot Captain Zaharie started to surface and the world learnt that he was deeply passionate about flying
Image via thegatewaypundit.comThe search and rescue operation for MH370 quickly commenced with Malaysia taking the lead and neighbouring countries offering their military assets. The world was touched at the solidarity the international community displayed.
The search and rescue operation for MH370 quickly commenced with Malaysia taking the lead and neighbouring countries offering their military assets. The world was touched at the solidarity the international community displayed.
Image via akamaihd.netAs the search yielded no results, international media and Malaysians alike started to question the competency of the Malaysia's leadership
As the search yielded no results, international media and Malaysians alike started to question the competency of the Malaysia's leadership
Image via yimg.comThe credibility of the Malaysian immigration also went under the spotlight as people asked how did two Iranians manage to walk through airport security using fake passports
The credibility of the Malaysian immigration also went under the spotlight as people asked how did two Iranians manage to walk through airport security using fake passports
Image via ibtimes.co.ukThe government's reputation continued to sour as 'bomoh' who were allegedly invited by a high ranking minister performed rites at KLIA to help locate the Boeing 777
The government's reputation continued to sour as 'bomoh' who were allegedly invited by a high ranking minister performed rites at KLIA to help locate the Boeing 777
Image via blogspot.comDespite the setback, Malaysians of different faiths united in prayer to show their support for the friends, families and passengers of MH370 #PrayForMH370
Despite the setback, Malaysians of different faiths united in prayer to show their support for the friends, families and passengers of MH370 #PrayForMH370
Image via themalaysianinsider.comWhile some helped using prayers, others went on Tomnod to search for the plane using satellite images
While some help using prayers, others went on Tomnod to search for the plane using satellite images
Image via channelnewsasia.comMH370 co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid's integrity was doubted when an Australian girl came forward with controversial cockpit photos
MH370 co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid integrity was doubted when an Australian girl alleged that he was a playboy pilot
Image via blogspot.comWEEK 2
As daily press conferences failed to offer new information, people wondered if the government was hiding information from the public. Chinese families threatened to protest if they were not given the truth.
Chinese families threatened to protest if they were not given the truth.
Image via indianexpress.comSeveral social media users took advantage of the trending #MH370 by posting fake BBC reports about the discovery of the plane that would lead to spam and viruses when clicked on
Several social media users took advantage of the trending #MH370 by posting fake BBC reports about the discovery of the plane that would lead to spam and viruses when clicked on
Image via says.comA fake Malaysian Airlines ad that made light of the situation went viral and was soon debunked
A fake Malaysian Airlines ad that made light of the situation went viral and was soon debunked
Image via grahamcluley.comAfter learning that Captain Zaharie was a supporter of Anwar Ibrahim, the media speculated theories of Captain Zaharie as a political fanatic, terrorist and had suicidal tendencies
After learning that Captain Zaharie was a supporter of Anwar Ibrahim, the media speculated theories of Captain Zaharie as a political fanatic, terrorist and has suicidal tendencies
Image via blogspot.comTestimonies from those close to Fariq Abdul Hamid and Phillip Wood, who were both on the missing flight, showed social media users how their posts about MH370 were affecting the friends and families
WEEK 3
On 24 March, PM Najib confirmed fears of a crash when he announced that MH370 "ended" in the southern Indian Ocean
On 24 March, PM Najib confirmed fears of a crash when he announced that MH370 "ended" in the southern Indian Ocean
Image via ecns.cnWithin minutes, the world grieved the loss of MH370, its crew and its passengers #RIPMH370
Within minutes, the world grieved the loss of MH370, its crew and its passengers using #RIPMH370
Image via twimg.com
Chinese families in Beijing did not receive the news well and protested at the Malaysian Embassy against the Malaysian authorities whom they called "executioners"
Chinese families in Beijing did not receive the news well and protested at the Malaysian Embassy against the Malaysian authorities whom they called "executioners"
Image via scmp.comSocial media users sympathising with search and rescue efforts shared a viral video of rough sea conditions of the Indian Ocean
In trying to understand the difficulties of the search and rescue operation in the southern Indian Ocean, a video of its rough sea conditions went viral over the internet. The video turned out to be fake.
Image via blogspot.comWEEK 4
Social media users learnt that garbage from pollution is gravely affecting the search and rescue operations
Social media users learnt that garbage from pollution is gravely affecting the search and rescue operations
Image via canadapress.orgAirAsia received backlash from social media users after a paragraph in its inflight magazine was deemed sarcastic towards MH370
AirAsia received backlash from social media users after a paragraph in its inflight magazine was deemed sarcastic towards MH370
Image via says.comAs the clock ticks, there are worries that the black box might run out of batteries before it can be located
As the clock ticks, there are worries that the black box might run out of batteries before it can be located
Image via guim.co.ukIt has been 31 days since Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 went missing, but Malaysians continue to hope and pray for survivors
It has been 31 days since Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 went missing, but Malaysians continue to hope and pray for survivors
Image via financialexpress.com