This working paper shows communicative processes in the current COVID-19 crisis based on systematic literature research and interviews with experts from different stakeholder areas. It was compiled within the framework of the project "Communication in Crises" funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
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Summary
The project "Communication in Crises" analyses communicative processes in crises. These are understood as an event-related social uncertainty, as a result of which a temporary, dynamic social context emerges to cope with this uncertainty. Based on systematic literature research and interviews with experts from different fields, communicative processes in the current COVID-19 crisis will be identified.
In order to systematically describe communication in crises, a figuration-theoretical approach is pursued, which understands communication in crises as an interdependent network and focuses on the actors involved in communication, their respective action-guiding orientations and communicative practices. The focus is on the specific logics of actors from the fields of:
- Public health and safety,
- Science and research,
- The public and journalism,
- Group-specific interests,
- Living environment of the individual members of society.
The perception of communication in the crisis and the different guidelines for action are examined based on existing findings from research and supplementary interviews with experts. Guided by the figuration-theoretical approach, firstly the processual character of crises and their communicative management will be identified. Guided by the figuration-theoretical approach, firstly the processual character of crises and their communicative management is elaborated. Secondly, the diversity of actors involved in the communicative negotiation of their management. And finally, the challenges that arise from the different role- and living environment-related demands, expectations and action orientations will be highlighted.
On this basis, various cross-cutting challenges for communication in crises are identified. These are described in the form of areas of tension in which communication in crisis can take place, for example between
- Consonance and polyphony,
- Warning and reassurance,
- Simplification and differentiation.
- Comprehensive information and guidance,
- Individual responsibility and regulation.
Recommendation
With regard to the question of how the nature of communicative relations between actors from politics, science, media and civil society can contribute to strengthening crisis resilience, it is recommended that communication in crises should
- Take into account all relevant actor perspectives;
- Make their own position recognisable and transparent in their respective perspectives;
- Develop and implement communication strategies that are appropriate for the target group;
- Strengthen dialogue-based communication strategies rather than abandoning them in a crisis;
- Create cross-cutting bodies or communication structures that systematically identify the communication needs of the different groups of actors and make them available to the actors involved.
Broer, Irene; Hasebrink, Uwe; Lampert, Claudia; Schröder, Hermann-Dieter; Wagner, Hans-Ulrich; assisted by Corinna Endreß (2021): Kommunikation in Krisen [Communication in Crisis]. Hamburg: Hans-Bredow-Institut, September 2021 (Arbeitspapiere des Hans-Bredow-Instituts | Projektergebnisse Nr. 59) DOI: https://doi.org/10.21241/ssoar.74139