Risk communication in security policy (CSS Analysis in Security Polics) (original) (raw)

CSS-Analysis No. 62: Risk Communication in Security Policy

Risk communication between political decision-makers, public authorities, experts, and the general public is considered a central component in the official handling of complex and networked risks. So far, however, the concept has been applied almost exclusively in the context of technical and environmental risks. Harnessing risk communication for specific issues in foreign and security policy can sensitize the public to specific problems, create legitimacy for the actions of government agencies, and thus enhance the strategic capabilities of political actors in the case of a crisis. For French and German versions of this analysis, please go to: http://www.css.ethz.ch/policy\_consultancy/topics\_INT/DetailansichtPubDB\_EN?rec\_id=657

Public Communication in Pursuing and Promoting the Interests of Security Actors – a Taxonomic Approach

BULLETIN OF "CAROL I" NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY

This paper aims to identify the best ways to support security actors in the process of promoting and pursuing their interests, through public communication. In this respect, we have considered it relevant to identify and present the forms of public communication most often used in the information environment for the purpose of influencing power games, and we have classified them into two categories: constructive and destructive, taking into account ethical aspects in terms of transmitter’s intentionality, as well as the whole set of effects that they produce on the security environment (direct effects – short term, and indirect effects – long term), on its dynamics, and ultimately on the world order. Following our analysis, we will have identified strategic communication (and the techniques derived from it) as the form of public communication whose whole set of effects generated suits the interests of the actor – transmitter, the citizen – as an exponent of international society –, ...

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION IN THE FUNCTION OF NATIONAL SECURITY

Vojno delo, 2019

The concept of strategic communication has become a matter of topical interest in nowadays social relations. Strategic communication is referred to as an activity, a topic of theoretical study or due to planning and operation of organizational entities at all levels, from corporations to states and their alliances, with the concept still insufficiently defined. This paper analyses the concept, structure and forms of strategic communication based on a wide variety of scientific and professional literature. Also, the paper considers the implementation of strategic communication in the function of fulfiling national interests with a review of its role and effect on the defence and security system. The correlation between strategic communication and the hybrid concept of violation of national security has been made. The paper contributes to defining the concept of strategic communication and propose modelling and management of public opinion as a genesis of the implementation of the communication strategy.

Risk communication: pitfalls and promises

European Review, 2003

Over the past 30 years, researchers and practitioners have discussed the importance of risk communication in solving disputes ranging from the public outcry regarding importing GMO foods from the United States to Europe, the siting of waste incinerators in many parts of Europe to the building a permanent high level nuclear waste facility in the United States. In this paper the history of risk communication is discussed, focusing particularly on the importance of the social amplification of risk and trust. This is followed by a detailed discussion on trust as it relates to public perception of risk, where it is argued that trust is composed of three variables. The third section covers the theoretical debate of how to best deal with the decline in public trust. This is followed by a short analysis in which it is concluded that there is no simple solution to increasing public trust (and thereby assuring greater risk communication successes).

Focal Report 3: Risk Analysis - Risk Communication in the Public Sector

This focal report looks at risk communication (RC), which is an essential part of the risk management cycle. RC contributes to the transparency of intragovernmental risk analysis processes, informs target groups and the wider population about the existence and possible effects of risks, and promotes broader intra-governmental and public understanding and acceptance of risk management decisions. This focal report draws a) on the relatively recent academic literature on risk communication to define and differentiate the concept and b) on official risk communication strategy papers (in particular strategies developed by the governments of Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States) to examine how risk communication is conducted today and to identify practical challenges and possible solutions to overcome these challenges.

Improving risk communication in government: Research priorities

Risk Analysis, 1995

Despite the increased interest in risk communication among government agencies, there is evidence that agencies' risk communication practices lag. We conducted a study to explore which risk communication research would be most important to improve government ...

If Crisis or War Comes: A Study of Risk Communication of Eight European Union Member States

Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research

How do European Union (EU) member states communicate risks to their citizens? In this study, we define risk communication as the information provided by different levels of government to citizens regarding possible future crises to which the general public might be subjected. We seek to answer the following questions: Are there any patterns in the risk communication strategies among EU member states in terms of the sender of information, the message conveyed, the method used, and the intended audience? Finally, to what extent is the state involved in ensuring the safety of its citizens? To tackle these questions, we examine the risk communication strategy of eight countries: Sweden, Finland, Germany, England, France, Estonia, Greece, and Cyprus. Our data consist of governmental web sites, publications, campaigns, and other modes of communication, such as videos posted on YouTube, with questions centering on institutional actors, methods of delivery, content, and effectiveness. We fi...