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Speaking with One Voice: Risk Communication Lessons from the US Anthrax Attacks

Author(s):Lee Clarke; Caron Chess; Rachel Holmes; Karen M. O’Neill
Year: 2006
Available at:www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/ref/10.1111/j.1468-5973.2006.00491.x   (report broken link)
Description:

It is often said that in times of crises experts, officials, and organizations should speak with one voice. But this homily has not been subjected to either conceptual or empirical scrutiny. We begin those tasks in this paper. To pursue our analysis, we use statements from the popular and scholarly presses; we also use our interviews with local officials in New Jersey, USA, who had to respond to the anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001. We outline some of the meanings of the admonition to "speak with one voice" and discuss the rhetorical significance of the advice. Our argument is that it may be wise to speak with one voice, but this can not be taken for granted. Different audiences may well need different messages or different kinds of messages. Speaking with multiple voices is often the most effective way to advance meaningful communication.

Language(s):English
Communities:General
Subtopic:
Channels of Communication
Message Content
Bioterrorism
Target Audience:Emergency Planners & Managers; Healthcare Providers; Public Health Professionals; Researchers; Government
Resource Type:
Qualitative Study
Journal Article
Citation:

Clarke L, Chess C, Holmes R, O’Neill KM, “Speaking with One Voice: Risk Communication Lessons from the US Anthrax Attacks” Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management. 2006. 14(3): 160

Contact Info:

Lee Clarke
Rutgers University- Sociology Department
Lucy Stone Hall
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Phone: 732-445-5741