Communication for solidarity in social networks in times of Covid-19

Abstract

The technological means applied to communication for solidarity in times of Covid-19 are worth contemplating, considering the intention of contagion that aims - instead of making people sick - to make everyone act in favour of the common good. By taking a look at certain Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and activists who promote aid actions, an interest arose in analysing communication for solidarity in the social networks of Maracaibo, based on their characteristics, messages and prospective reflections. To this end, methodologically, a mixed approach was used, focusing on five (5) Instagram accounts that carry out their social practice in the municipality of Maracaibo, Zulia state, using techniques such as Observation (Observation Sheet), Documentary Review (Analysis Matrix) and Critical Analysis to approach these documentary sources. It became clear that the characteristics of communication for solidarity are used relatively rarely in the accounts observed, with the most frequent being the tactful information; as for the message, there is a complete divergence since in each account different communicative forms are intermingled. The main reflection that emerges is the consideration that communication for solidarity in this context is handled from different perspectives according to the considerations of each NGO or activist, but Instagram represents today one of the best platforms to deploy the contents and elements of communication for solidarity in an assertive and successful way for these social purposes.