A dual-focus analysis of wikipedia traffic and linguistic patterns in public risk awareness Post-Charlie Hebdo

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamics of public risk awareness in the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack on January 7, 2015, through a dual-focus analysis of Wikipedia traffic and Google Trends data. Analyzing the temporal patterns of Wikipedia page views in both English and French, sheds light on how significant media events, anniversaries, and related incidents influence public engagement with terrorism-related content over time. The study highlights the critical role of linguistic and cultural factors in shaping these patterns, revealing that Francophone regions, particularly France and its former colonies, exhibit a more sustained and consistent interest in the Charlie Hebdo event compared to Anglophone regions. The heightened engagement in French-speaking areas suggests that cultural and historical ties influence public risk perception and awareness. Complementing this analysis with geographic insights from Google Trends, the study provides a more comprehensive understanding of how people in different regions perceive and respond to terrorism. The findings underscore the importance of digital platforms in gauging public awareness and suggest practical implications for designing targeted risk communication strategies. These strategies could be timed to coincide with moments of heightened public interest, such as anniversaries, to enhance public resilience and preparedness in the face of terrorism. This study contributes to the broader understanding of digital media's role in shaping and sustaining public risk awareness in a global context.