Drivers of global civil repair: Social media users witnessing distant suffering in the aftermath of the 2017 Mexico City earthquake

Abstract

This article examines how social media users engaged in civil repair actions following the 2017 Mexico City earthquake. Drawing on cultural trauma theory, the study investigates audience responses to mediated distant suffering from three user profiles of different nationalities and locations, to analyse their cosmopolitan disposition. Through 29 interviews, we explored how users actively participated in short and long-term actions to mitigate the suffering of others and recreated cultural symbols and rituals of remembrance. Findings reveal that closeness, trust, and the role of social media platforms were crucial factors in shaping how media witnessing evolved into an affective witnessing community displaying different levels of civil engagement and facilitated collective action that transformed trauma into hope and unity.