A Case Study of Risk Communication: The Beijing Smog: The Communication Battle between the Public and Government

Abstract

Due to globalization and industrialization, the environment has become a major problem in many developing countries. Environmental crisis not only bring a healthy problem to a country but also have a big impact of economy and political affair, even international crisis. Therefore, how to delivery the risk information to the public, and what is the appropriate strategy to manage the public outrage are very important research topics. In this paper, I used the framework of risk communication from Cox (2015) to assess the communication of risk of Beijing air pollution issue. And the second part I used Sandman’s risk formula “Risk=Hazard + Outrage” and Outrage management methods to analyze what is wrong with Chinese government in this risk communication, and what is role of U.S Embassy in this risk communication. Furthermore, I discussed the role of new media, how social media has helped lay people to engage to this risk communication. I hope this paper can help readers to better understand what is risk communication, and how to manage the public outrage.