Improving risk communication in government: Research priorities (original) (raw)

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.

Risk communication in the public sector (Risk & Resilience Report)

This focal report looks at risk communication (RC), which is an essential part of the risk management cycle: RC contributes to the transparency of intergovernmental 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.

Effective risk communication practice

Toxicology letters, 2004

Major public controversies over the management of health and environmental risks have been ongoing since the 1970s, starting with chemicals (pesticides and dioxins) and running through risks associated with many other industrial technologies. We can find in those controversies many common features, which cut across differences in both the technologies themselves and the types of risks they engender. This understanding also enables us to propose strategies to organizations to help them better respond to the public's needs (and the public interest) when concerns over risks arise. Effective risk communication practices are among the most important responsibilities for industry and governments in this regard. Since its origins in the late 1980s, risk communication practice has achieved a better understanding both of its goals and of how to achieve them. We are now in a position to specify with some precision what the fundamental requirements of good risk communication are, and they ...

Evaluation of risk communication : concepts, strategies and guidelines

1988

Risk communication activities have become major challenges for risk analysis and management institution. Probabilities are poorly understood by the public and the rationale of risk analysis is often rejected. In addition, the plurality of information sources and the recoding of primary information by the media are causes for public oonfusion and dissatisfaction. Poor communication may aggravate the performance of a risk management institution, decrease the level of public protection and impede its credibility.Based on studies about communication research and risk perception, a list of guidelines for conducting successful risk communication programs will be presented and discussed.The complexity of the intuitive understanding of risk in the public should be reflected by a multi-dimensional, customer tailored information package employing a two-way communication design.