DESIGNING COMMUNICATIONS

Designing communications with regard to the target audience



Communications and Media

Potential Needs Of The Families Of The Miners In Receiving A Message About This Incident

The potential needs of the families of the miners in receiving a message about this incident are associated with the need for information that can respond to their immediate concerns. The families will want to know about the circumstances in which the incident took place, the extent of damage, the rescue efforts and the projected time that the rescue efforts will take (Coombs, 2004). The families of the miners need to be reassured that rescue efforts are underway and that hinderances are not influencing the progression of the rescue efforts. In this regard, the mesage designed for the families of the miners need to be informative as well as comforting. The message needs to be honest in the fact that it does not allow for the development of unrealistic perceptions about the incident and the rescue effort. However, there is no room to allow any cold communication.

The public relations manager handling this case will have to ensure that a balance is maintained in the communication that is designed to communicate the incident to the families of the miners. The communication cannot be cold and it can neither be too emotionally driven. The purpose of the communication will be limited to the communication of the incident; followed immediatly by a statement of the rescue efforts and the realistic degree to which the rescue efforts can be expected to be a success. Perhaps the most suitable channel for communication of the message to the families of the trapped miners is the electronic media (David, 2011). This will ensure widespread delivery and allow the organization to show its role in the rescue and recovery efforts. In addition, the organization should also post the same message in the print media so that a concrete and undeniable circulation of the organziation's stance on the issue can be ensured. It would also help if the immediate family members of the miners involved in the incident are paid a visit by a company representative to ensure that the organization considers this to be an incident that will not be allowed to break their families apart and that the organization is going the extra mile for the rescue and recovery of the trapped miners.

Potential Needs Of The Company's Employees When Receiving A Message ...