Dynamic rumor spreading of public opinion reversal on Weibo based on a two-stage SPNR model

Exploring the dynamic mechanism of rumor reversal in several public emergency events can support managers to control and guild the spread of public opinion. In this study a two-stage rumor model, namely, susceptible, positive, negative, and recovered state (SPNR) is built to analyze rumor spread and reversal of rumors regarding emergencies on Weibo. The model considers the hysteresis of official news and public swing mentality based on epidemic models. To validate the proposed model, we compare the simulated data and the spread curve of rumor reversal on the basis of the real event “Chongqing bus plunging into the river”. The result shows the proposed model well simulates this real situation of news breakout, confirming the change of rumor-infected rate and probability of rumor disseminators transforming into positive public opinion disseminators, and the time of official statement for truth affecting rumor propagation in varying degrees. To effectively control and dispel rumors, proper guidance of official statement or authority release for truth in the public event is necessary. •Propose a two-stage SNPR model to simulate the spread of public opinion.•Model considers the hysteresis of official news and people’s swing mentality based on epidemic models.•Simulate the spread and reversal of rumors based on SNPR.•Represent real situation of news breakout.