Strategies to combat distrust in authorities

The overnight collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge has unleashed a wave of online conspiracy theories, spreading like wildfire across social media platforms. Within hours, some individuals were promoting baseless claims around the cause of the attack, ranging from cyber-attacks to intentional collisions on X. While misinformation during such events isn't new, the alarming pace and trust some of these accounts command pose significant challenges for Federal agencies and corporates alike. In times of crisis, the dissemination of misinformation on social media can wreak havoc, creating confusion, panic, and hindering effective response efforts. Moreover, it erodes trust in reliable sources of information, exacerbating the chaos and making it even more challenging to manage the situation.  For corporates, it's a reality that they are living in---that's where the importance of corporate preparedness comes into the picture. Here are a few suggestions that can help with your crisis preparedness: DURING THE CRISIS ✅ Establish Clear Communication Channels: Designate official spokespersons and platforms for disseminating accurate information. ✅Monitor Social Media and News Sources: Implement robust monitoring systems to track mentions and detect misinformation early. ✅Debunk False Information: Respond promptly with evidence-based rebuttals to false claims and communicate transparently with stakeholders. ✅Engage with Stakeholders: Demonstrate transparency and accessibility by engaging directly with stakeholders to address concerns. ✅Collaborate with Authorities and Experts: Pool resources and coordinate response efforts with relevant authorities and industry peers. ✅Monitor Sentiment and Feedback: Continuously monitor stakeholder sentiment to tailor communication strategies and address concerns. BEFORE CRISIS ❎ Educate Employees and Stakeholders: Provide training on media literacy and critical thinking skills to empower individuals to discern fact from fiction. ❎ Review and Update Crisis Communication Plans: Regularly review and update crisis communication plans based on lessons learned and emerging best practices. AFTER CRISIS ⭕ Evaluate and Learn: Conduct a thorough evaluation of the company's response to misinformation to inform future crisis preparedness efforts.

Why do residents think their local government is "information hoarding"? I've found there are three core reasons for this misconception, each of which is connected to the others — and all of which we have to work to overcome. 1️⃣ In the past, there has been a lack of transparency. 2️⃣ Residents don't know what local government actually does. 3️⃣ There is a general, overarching and ill-defined distrust of local government. 👉 Acting as though your organization has never, ever lacked transparency is likely doing you a disfavour. The fact is that, while it wasn't intentional or malicious, many municipalities weren't as open with the public in the past as they are today (and some still have work to do). 👉 Over a long period of time, that led to residents really not understanding what local government is all about. Politicking and ineffective governance have added to that issue. 🤯 Have you ever seen a mayor take it upon themselves to wage (metaphorical) war in an attempt to get a local hospital? I have. The end result was that the public started to believe the hospital issue fell on local government. The following election, multiple candidates threw the hospital into their election platforms, from an actionable standpoint rather than an advocacy one. The situation just kept spiraling from there. 👉 Numerous studies show that trust has eroded between residents and local government. Recent ones show that's especially true in areas where voters tend to lean conservative. If you are not starting from a position of understanding that fractured relationship, you may be filtering your communications through the wrong lens, which can lead to more issues. So, we know the problem — now what? WELL... Communications happens to be local government's No. 1 tool in building a relationship with residents. That long-term effort will be the key to building back trust. 👉 Be intentionally transparent in local government operations. 👉 Take advantage of opportunities to inform/educate the public on the broader role of local government. 👉 Engage residents and business owners as much as is sensible, and in a manner that truly involves them in the conversation and the decision-making process. 👉 Have effective, up-to-date communications, engagement, and crisis communications plans. 👉 Host a communications workshop with Council and members of Administration. There's also a lot to be said here for ensuring good governance and role clarity; effective use of boards and committees; regional collaboration (again, done in a transparent manner); and more. Nothing stands on its own in local government. All wheels turn together. Approaching your relationship with the community in this way takes more effort. It's a longer-term play. And it's worth it. Let's get to work 💪 #localgovernment #localgov #communications

📢 Enhancing Democratic Trust Through Data-Driven Public Communication A new report by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission sheds light on the critical role of trustworthy public communication in strengthening democracies. 📊 Key Data Insights: Public Trust and Governance: Trust in government correlates strongly with the quality of governance. For instance, countries with high governance quality, such as Norway and Sweden, also exhibit high public trust levels. Conversely, in countries like Romania and Mongolia, low governance quality aligns with low trust levels. Impact of Trust on Compliance: Higher trust in public administrations can significantly influence compliance with public policies. For example, increased trust in health authorities could save millions in healthcare costs by improving compliance with vaccination programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation cost the Canadian healthcare system at least $300 million due to lower compliance with health guidelines. Survey Insights: Values-Based Messaging: A survey of 1,548 participants across CZ, EL, FR, and SE revealed that transparency and clarity in public communication are paramount to building trust. Political Moralization: Involving 2,324 participants across DE, DK, FR, PL, PT, RO, and the US, this survey highlighted the need for public communicators to address the moral implications of policy decisions transparently. COCOMI Project: Data from 5,228 participants in DE, EL, IRL, and PL underscored the importance of engaging citizens in meaningful dialogue to understand their values and concerns better. 📈 Tangible Numbers: Economic Impact of Misinformation: Addressing misinformation proactively can prevent substantial economic losses. The $300 million cost to the Canadian healthcare system is a stark reminder of the financial implications of unchecked misinformation. 🌍 Broader Implications: Values Segmentation: Instead of targeting individuals, segmenting audiences based on shared values can create more resonant and effective messages. This approach ensures that public communications are transparent and accountable. Pre-emptive Strategies: Engaging with public concerns before policy implementation can build trust and combat misinformation. Effective pre-emptive communication can mitigate misunderstandings and establish public communicators as reliable information sources. Evaluation and Skill Development: Ongoing evaluation of communication strategies is crucial for their success. Developing new skills and competencies in public communication professionals will be essential to address future challenges in the information ecosystem. Authors: Laura Smillie, Mario Scharfbillig Download: https://lnkd.in/dEcx5gES EU Science, Research and Innovation

Disinformation is a "wicked problem"—complex, multi-faceted, and challenging to counter without risking unintended consequences. Tackling it with a “do no harm” policy approach requires nuanced, adaptable strategies that respect freedom of expression and reinforce the foundations of democratic governance. In my mid-career Master’s in Public Policy at Princeton School of Public and International Affairs I've encountered this excellent Carnegie Endowment for International Peace policy guide. It offers actionable, balanced approaches based on evidence and case studies that can truly boost policy approaches to counter disinformation. 💡 Key strategies include: Empowering Local Journalism: When local news sources disappear, disinformation spreads like wildfire. Strengthening local journalism revives civic trust, keeps communities informed, and builds a first line of defense against disinformation. #DemocracyDiesInDarkness Building Media Literacy: Teaching critical media skills across communities and schools equips individuals to spot manipulation and build resilience against false information. Prioritizing Transparency with Fact-Checking: Going beyond labels, fact-checking that promotes transparency enables audiences to make informed choices, fostering trust without policing beliefs. Adjusting Algorithms & Limiting Microtargeting: Creating healthier online spaces by limiting microtargeted ads and rethinking algorithms reduces echo chambers while respecting autonomy. Counter-Messaging with Local Voices: Developing counter-messaging strategies that engage trusted community voices enables us to challenge false narratives effectively and authentically. These approaches are essential for defending open dialogue, strengthening governance, and supporting sustainable development. It's all hands on deck! https://lnkd.in/egKKmAqh 🌐 #Disinformation #DoNoHarm #LocalJournalism #FreedomOfExpression #PublicPolicy #CivicTrust cc Melissa Fleming Charlotte Scaddan Rosemary Kalapurakal Alice Harding Shackelford Roberto Valent Allegra Baiocchi (she/her/ella) Danilo Mora Carmen Lucia Morales Liliana Liliana Garavito George Gray Molina Marcos Neto Kersten Jauer