Managing the Opportunities and Perils of New Media Technologies in Crisis Communication: A New Paradigm in 21st Century Crisis Preparedness

Abstract

The advent of new media technologies has resulted in a growing array of communication tools now available to individuals and organizations. However, the crisis management and crisis communication literature does not include an examination of how communication made possible by these technologies affects organizational crisis communication and preparation. The Internet and myriad other forms of electronic-based communication including e-mail, blogs, webcasts, podcasts, instant messaging, and social media, have resulted in a paradigm shift in how organizations must now manage crises. The study found that the crisis communication made possible by the advent of new media technologies represents an important factor in organizational crisis preparedness and that the use of new media technologies can both aid and hinder organizational crisis communication efforts. The study points to the role of new media technologies as an emerging force in crisis communication that can assist organizations in developing management practices to improve their crisis preparedness.