Risk and Crisis Communication
The world is faced with diverse challenges that pose grave dangers to its inhabitants. While some of these events are eventually mitigated, it is essential to have proper channels of communication during times of crisis. Through globalization, there is excellent access to information than ever before. Nonetheless, the dissemination of the data is such that the majority of the data transmitted is unverified. This trend is especially worrying during risk communication, where clarity and honesty are essential in any disaster. Additionally, there are those rules that must be adhered to in risk communication. The messages have to be compassionate and relevant based on the timeline of the disaster. According to Cox (2019), risk communication messages are prone to exaggeration and useful information hidden behind technical jargon, which dissuades participation from the public.
The Ebola crisis exposed the challenges and shortcomings of risk communication in the US. The crisis saw a breach of rules of risk communication to the extent that people chose to panic rather than get vital information on the disease. Moreover, members of the public grew to distrust messages from experts and authorities, and this further weakened communication in the country. According to Bol (2016), media coverage, political bickering, false presence, and covering up of scientific uncertainties also breached risk communication protocols. The Ebola crisis enhanced the need to adhering to risk communication protocols where the government is willing to admit to uncertainties and having an honest coverage of events. Additionally, agencies have to develop trust among the public from the beginning so that all reporting is accurate credible and does not marginalize victims of crises (Ratzan and Moritsugu, 2014).
Finally, as detailed in the CRS report, social media use could have significantly improved risk communication. This is because social media users spread fear among the public, something the agencies did not take into consideration. The power of social media cuts across all demographic factors, and when the protocols of risk communication are applied to social media use, there are improved outcomes. When the message mapping processes are used alongside social media, they develop clarity and timely dissemination of information with a global reach. More so, monitoring of information posted on social media enhances accuracy, which is essential to risk communication.