This document summarizes key points from an OECD report on risk communication by governments and the role of social media in crisis communication. It discusses how effective risk communication is important for public trust, costs, and policy learning. Risk communication systems should include stakeholders, focus on prevention, and facilitate two-way information sharing using new technologies like social media. Social media can help spread information faster than traditional media, though it also presents challenges around speed of response, misinformation, and message confusion. The report identifies 12 good practices for governments to develop multi-layered social media strategies in partnership with citizens and traditional media.

1. "RISK COMMUNICATION BY GOVERNMENT AND
THE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA IN CRISIS
COMMUNICATION"
6th International Disaster and Risk Conference (IDRC), Davos 2016
Stephane Jacobzone

2. Ineffective risk
communication
Under- or over-
estimating risks
Sub-optimal allocation, i.e.
under- or over-provision of
protection against risks
Low levels of
awareness
Low levels of resilience, i.e.
maintaining function in case
of a disruption
Why risk communications matter?
Citizens’ trust in government is highly impacted by how governments communicate
High costs for measures ineffective risk communication
Value of sharing cross country experience and facilitating policy transfer
Addressing Risk Communication throughout the Risk management cycle

3. What are the core elements of a risk
communication system?

4. Communicating Risks and OECD contribution
Addressing the challenges for governments
This forthcoming Study identifies
novel risk communication practices
further to a survey of 19
countries:
• From top down to more inclusive
communication
• Involving the private sector and
ONGs
• Stronger uptake of new
technologies including social
media.
The issue has also been addressed
as part of OECD work on
The Changing Face of Strategic
Crisis Management

5. Which actors have legal or formal
responsibilities for risk communication?
Risk communication could improve by more effectively including stakeholders

6. From giving information to helping to
reduce risk exposure
Countries’ risk communication focus is on:
More countries could make risk communication about risk prevention,
informing stakeholders about what they can do to reduce their risk exposure.

7. Interaction mechanisms from citizens to
government
Countries need to fully exploit new technology, including social media,
which can also facilitate a two-way, interactive flow of information and
address rapid developments in current risk landscapes.

8. • OECD report
• Social media can be beneficial :
– enable informal partnerships that enhance the capacity for dialogue among
stakeholders
– increase the chances of reaching those who need the information in time
– reach different target populations
• Ex. young use less conventional media
– assures the provision of timely information
• But also create challenges for crisis managers:
– Speed of reaction
– Misreported information
– Multiple channels and risk of confusion
– Competition and alternatives with traditional media (radio, TV, news)
Integrating the Use of Social Media in Crisis
Communication

9. – Information about natural disasters and other emergencies often appears on social
media faster than on traditional channels
Social media are now part of the landscape
WITNESS
OF THE EVENTS

10. • Social media provide for an interactive platform, where message providers and
receivers can engage in a two-way communication process:
• Connect
• Organize
• Communicate
• Governments need to create partnerships
with social media ex ante and can
use specific features of Twitter
for example
Interactive platforms and multiple
partnerships
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
SHARING

11. Multiple opportunities for governments :
1. Fostering citizen-led social media use through Volunteer technology
communities
2. Developing government-led social media strategies
3. Combining interaction with traditional media with active use of social media
4. Monitoring the accuracy of information flows by interacting with stakeholders
to verify the trustworthiness of emerging information
The traditional media should not be forgotten!
And their interaction with the social media also deserves
consideration
Governments have to rely on multi-layered
strategies with social media

12. Outcome of the OECD report:
12 good practices in Social Media and Crisis Communication

13. THANK YOU
On Behalf of the OECD Team