Emergent media scan of digital mutual aid organizing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

ABSTRACT A rapid emergent media scan, describing 1) how mutual aid emerged as a response to COVID-19 and 2) how digital organizing was used for mutual aid, was conducted using a media bias framework to select media outlets, standardized search terms to identify relevant content, and content analysis to describe themes. A variety of digital tools (e.g., social media, crowdsourcing, video conferencing) were used to coordinate people/resources, raise funds, create connections, and educate others. Findings encourage digital organizing to meet tangible and intangible needs when formal systems fail, while carefully avoiding reifying inequities based on differential access to technology.