Inciting Panic where no Panic Is

After reading the 5 secrets of crisis communication, I want to share my favorite insight: “Managing Panic in Pandemic“

Dori Reissman, the author of this section, says that the word “panic” is used too often in wrong context. Much journalists write or tell about panic without knowing what they wreak. Panic describes a status where social and internal order is lost. Everything is out of control. But mostly, it is not the case.

Journalists have to ask themselves if this is really the message that they want to spread out in the world. First important point is the public trust. Journalists have to address the concerns of people they have during a pandemic. Otherwise people are not able to hear the journalists’ message. Moreover the connection between government and journalists is an interesting fact. Reisman says, that government determines right messages for anticipates future issues to shape the behavior and gain a sense of how people take accountability of their own. Journalists should cooperate. Reisman mentions five important points which are concluded in psychological first aid: savety, calming, connection efficacy and hope.

I agree with Reissman’s opinion. When you read articles or watch the news, people are sometimes upset by the information which is published. Instead of giving helpful information some journalists contribute their share to bother people additionally. If journalists take the ideas from this article the situation will be improved and inciting panic will be reduced.