“Truth Sandwich” To Dispel Crisis Misinformation: Exploring the Separate and Combined Impacts of Inoculation, Narratives, and Stealing Thunder on Correcting Crisis Misinformation on Social Media

This study examines the separate and combined effects of prebunking and debunking crisis misinformation as crisis communication strategies on social media. In an experimental study (N = 483) among social media users, this study found: 1) a positive impact of stealing thunder and 2) positive effects of the strategy combining prebunking and debunking (truth sandwich) on an organization’s reputation and on publics’ supportive behaviors. The findings help crisis communicators understand how to effectively prevent the negative outcomes of misinformation on social media, namely through application of the ‘truth sandwich’ strategy.