11 Messages for Responsible COVID-19 Communication

by | May 14, 2020 | Professional Development

May 14, 2020

By Jamie Reed, Starkey Director of Communications

The Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management released the following tips for providing responsible communication during COVID-19. As PR professionals, it’s important to be aware of best practices in the industry, especially during a crisis that has left no person, employee or stakeholder unaffected. 

Source

1. Before [you] communicate, think about the impact of your message beyond your organization.

2. Do not hide the impact of the pandemic. Be realistic in your communications, based on facts.

3. Use straightforward, plain language to minimize dramatizing the situation.

4. Include hope in the spirit of the communications.

5. Spread good examples and practices.

6. Identify and legitimize people’s emotions.

7. Give priority to messaging from official sources.

8. Avoid sharing fake news. Be critical of sources of information.

9. Don’t saturate networks with messages.

10. Don’t spend time criticizing public communication. Try to cooperate with them to improve.

11. Support the work of the media providing accurate information in the right moment.