Public Communication Strategies Research Articles

Sheikh Abdullah Al‐Salem's use of soft power and public relations: Transformation from emirate to state

AbstractThis paper describes the main factors that helped facilitate the transformation of Kuwait from an Emirate ‘Emarah’ (a non‐state) to an internationally recognised state during the rule of Sheikh Abdullah Al‐Salem from 1950 to 1965. It identifies the soft power actions and public relations communication strategies that facilitated the transformation of Kuwait from Sheikhdom to statehood. Sheikh Al‐Salem's strategies set the foundations for Kuwait to become recognised and respected in international affairs, not only in the Middle East but also globally. Data were collected and reviewed from the academic literature, from public records, legal documents, letters, press releases and newspaper and magazine articles as well as songs and TV interviews. The evidence shows that Sheikh Al‐Salem's use of soft power actions and public relations techniques were influential in facilitating the formation of the new state and made Kuwait an important player in the international arena while maintaining Arab nationalism and Islamic values.

Dialogical Health Communication via Twitter (X) During COVID-19 in African Countries: Ghana as a Case Study

Social media platforms, such as Twitter (X), have a critical role in disseminating health information. The study aims to highlight the potential of Twitter (X) as an influential tool for health communication, in addition to providing findings related to public health communication strategies in Ghana. The study investigated the role of Twitter (X) as a platform for building interactive health communication between the health communication system and citizens in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2022. Additionally, it has the potential to contribute to building dialogical health communication. The study analyzed a sample of COVID-19-related tweets from the official Ghana Health Service Twitter (X) account @_GHS from 2020 to 2022. The results showed that Twitter (X) was a key tool for health communication during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana, with both health institutions and the public sharing large amounts of health information. Furthermore, the study found evidence of dialogic communication, in which healthcare institutions and professionals are actively engaging with the public on Twitter (X). It concluded that public health communication on Twitter (X) has changed over time, as well as that the interactive health communication between the health communication system and citizens in Ghana was affected positively during the COVID-19 outbreak. It highlighted Twitter (X)’s potential as a tool for establishing a dialogue loop and building dialogic health communication. The results showed that before COVID-19, Ghana did not use Twitter (X) effectively to communicate with citizens about health matters. Twitter (X), with its wide reach and highly interactive nature through features such as retweets, has become a major platform for interactions facilitating dialogue between health institutions and health professionals and facilitating dialogue in public spaces surrounding health issues like COVID-19.

Exploring the role of national weather services in climate change knowledge and communication: an international survey

This study investigates the roles, perspectives, and communication strategies of National Meteorological Services (NMS) concerning climate monitoring, climate change projections, and the attribution of meteorological phenomena to climate variations. Using a survey distributed to 131 of the 193 National Meteorological Services affiliated with the World Meteorological Organization, we explore how these entities contribute to and communicate about the science of climate change. The survey targeted their involvement in observing and recording climate data, making climate projections, attributing specific weather events to climate change, and their methods of communicating these issues to the public and government officials. Responses were received from 44 countries, reflecting diverse levels of economic development and capabilities in handling, and disseminating complex climate information. The results show a strong engagement in traditional meteorological tasks, with a varied approach to the scientific study of climate change effects and public communication strategies. This study highlights the critical role of NMS in climate change research and underscores the challenges they face in effectively communicating complex climate information, which is crucial for public understanding and policymaking.

Public Communication Strategy in the Protest of Garbage Collector Workers

Background: Public perception is vital for government trust and communication. Specific Background: Protests by waste collectors in Sidoarjo impacted the government's image due to controversial waste management fees. Knowledge Gap: Few studies explore the role of government communication in shaping public perception during local policy protests. Aims: This study analyzes the Sidoarjo Communication Office's efforts to maintain a positive image post-protests. Results: The office's inadequate response, especially its failure to engage protestors, worsened negative media coverage. Novelty: The study underscores the importance of transparent crisis communication. Implications: Local governments must strengthen communication strategies to manage public sentiment and maintain credibility during crises. Highlights : Transparent communication prevents negative public sentiment. Lack of engagement worsens media narratives. Robust strategies are needed to maintain government credibility. Keywords: public perception, crisis communication, waste management, local government, Sidoarjo protests

‘Trust the messenger’: Public trust in sources of information on COVID-19

Abstract A key lesson of the coronavirus pandemic was the importance for pro-social behaviour of popular trust in key information sources. Yet existing studies rarely consider the role of people’s trust in a range of different information sources, and the relationship between such trust and particular attitudes and behaviours among individuals. This study goes beyond the general mantra that ‘trust matters’ and explores more specific effects, relating to trust in particular actors and for particular outcomes. Based on a survey fielded on a representative sample of the British population conducted towards the end of the pandemic, we find evidence that people’s coronavirus attitudes and behaviours are particularly related to their trust in scientific experts and, in some cases, to their trust in local councils. However, trust in these actors is not uniformly associated with people’s coronavirus beliefs and actions. This suggests that the link between people’s trust and their pro-social attitudes and behaviours is often specific rather than general. The results hold important implications for the design of effective public communication strategies in the event of any future health emergency.

Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication and Emotional Appeals in COVID-19 Public Health Messaging: Quantitative Content Analysis.

Although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, it remains pervasive in Singapore, a city-state situated in Southeast Asia, with periodic waves of infection. In addition to disease management, strong communication strategies are critical in the government's response to the pandemic to keep the public updated and equip them in protecting themselves. Grounded in the crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) framework and emotional appeals, this study aimed to analyze public health communication strategies in Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative content analysis was conducted on 696 Facebook (Meta Platforms Inc) posts and 83 website articles published by Singapore-based public health institutions between January 2020 and September 2022. The results showed that increasing communication on message themes, such as inquisitive messaging and clarification, can enhance communication strategies. The use of emotional appeals also varies with time and should be carefully used as they are context-specific. Theoretically, this study contributes to advancements in the CERC framework and concepts of emotional appeals by exploring the applications and changes of CERC message types and emotional appeals at different phases. The findings can provide practical guidance for authorities and communication practitioners in developing effective communication strategies.

Vaccination governance in protracted conflict settings: the case of northwest Syria

BackgroundEffective vaccination governance in conflict-affected regions poses unique challenges. This study evaluates the governance of vaccination programs in northwest Syria, focusing on effectiveness, efficiency, inclusiveness, data availability, vision, transparency, accountability, and sustainability.MethodsUsing a mixed-methods approach, and adapting Siddiqi’s framework for health governance, data were collected through 14 key informant interviews (KIIs), a validating workshop, and ethnographic observations. Findings were triangulated to provide a comprehensive understanding of vaccination governance.ResultsThe study highlights innovative approaches used to navigate the complex health governance landscape to deliver vaccination interventions, which strengthened sub-national vaccination structures such as The Syria Immunisation Group (SIG). The analysis revealed several key themes. Effectiveness and efficiency were demonstrated through cold-chain reliability and extensive outreach activities, though formal reports lacked detailed analysis of vaccine losses and linkage between disease outbreak data and coverage statistics. Key informants and workshop participants rated the vaccination strategy positively but identified inefficiencies due to irregular funding and bureaucracy. Inclusiveness and data availability were prioritised, with outreach activities targeting vulnerable groups. However, significant gaps in demographic data and reliance on paper-based systems hindered comprehensive coverage analysis. Digitalisation efforts were noted but require further support. The SIG demonstrated a clear strategic vision supported by international organizations such as the World Health Organization, yet limited partner participation in strategic planning raised concerns about broader ownership and engagement. While the SIG was perceived as approachable, the lack of public documentation and financial disclosure limited transparency. Internal information sharing was prevalent, but public communication strategies were insufficient. Accountability and sustainability faced challenges due to a decentralized structure and reliance on diverse donors. Despite stabilizing factors such as decentralization and financial continuity, fragmented oversight and reliance on donor funding remained significant concerns.DiscussionThe study highlights the complexities of vaccination governance in conflict-affected areas. Comparisons with other conflict zones underscore the importance of local organisations and international support. The SIG’s role is pivotal, but its legitimacy, transparency, and inclusivity require improvement. The potential transition to early recovery in Syria poses additional challenges to SIG’s sustainability and integration into national programs.ConclusionThe governance of vaccination in northwest Syria is multifaceted, involving multiple stakeholders and lacking a legitimate government. Enhancing transparency, local ownership, and participatory decision-making are crucial for improving governance. The role of international bodies is essential, emphasising the need for structured feedback mechanisms and transparent monitoring processes to ensure the program’s success and sustainability.

Cultural determinants of COVID-19 vaccines misinformation in Malawi

This study investigates how global misinformation and local cultural factors shape public perceptions of COVID-19 in Malawi. While misinformation about the pandemic often originates from global sources like the Internet and social media, its impact is influenced by religious and cultural narratives that resonate differently across various demographics, including gender. These ‘cultural determinants’ amplify the influence of misinformation, leading to widespread vaccine hesitancy. The paper draws on findings from a study conducted in the Malawian districts of Zomba, Dowa, and Nkhata Bay. The study reveals how religious prophecies and apocalyptic symbols, such as the ‘666’ mentioned in the biblical Book of Revelation, are used to frame vaccines as malevolent, distorting public understanding and fuelling fears about COVID-19. The role of social media in spreading misinformation is particularly significant, given its ability to quickly disseminate content and engage users as both consumers and creators of information. Despite limited internet access in Malawi, misinformation spreads effectively through offline spaces, where cultural beliefs and mistrust in political leaders further propagate it. This study highlights the need for culturally sensitive public health communication strategies to address the fears and beliefs that drive misinformation and vaccine hesitancy in Malawi and similar contexts. Although misinformation and vaccine hesitancy are global challenges, the study highlights that misinformation in Malawi is culturally specific, localised, and appeals to fears, with distinct resonance across the male-female gender divide.

Pertamina's Public Relations Communication Strategy in Dealing with the Plumpang Integrated Terminal Fire: Case Study of Corporate Crisis Communication in Dealing with Fire Victims

The fire incident at the Pertamina Plumpang Integrated Terminal that occurred in March 2023 was a disaster that resulted in casualties and losses for residents around Plumpang. The coverage of the Plumpang incident had a direct impact on the company's image and reputation. This is where public relations communication strategies play a role in restoring public trust as a form of post-disaster handling. The author uses descriptive qualitative analysis by applying issue life circle analysis to examine the findings regarding case handling. The research results show that the handling of the Plumpang Integrated Terminal fire tragedy crisis was carried out by adopting policies based on the results of discussions between Pertamina, affected residents and stakeholders, such as the program for creating an Integrated Information Post, the Sire Emergency Response program and the Emergency Training program. Handling efforts are divided into three stages, namely shor term strategy, with responsive handling through the Pertamina Peduli program, medium term, by building an Integrated Information Post, and long term, by conducting level 2 emergency simulation training. Pertamina's public relations communication strategy in handling The Plumpang Integrated Terminal fire tragedy was carried out through personal communication by holding discussions with community leaders related to the Integrated Information Post. Personal communication is also carried out by approaching residents, using empathy strategies to provide two-way communication while knowing the facts on the ground, conducting blusukan related to needs, complaints and desires in the event of the Plumpang Integrated Terminal fire tragedy.

Large Language Models Can Enable Inductive Thematic Analysis of a Social Media Corpus in a Single Prompt: Human Validation Study.

Manually analyzing public health-related content from social media provides valuable insights into the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of individuals, shedding light on trends and patterns that can inform public understanding, policy decisions, targeted interventions, and communication strategies. Unfortunately, the time and effort needed from well-trained human subject matter experts makes extensive manual social media listening unfeasible. Generative large language models (LLMs) can potentially summarize and interpret large amounts of text, but it is unclear to what extent LLMs can glean subtle health-related meanings in large sets of social media posts and reasonably report health-related themes. We aimed to assess the feasibility of using LLMs for topic model selection or inductive thematic analysis of large contents of social media posts by attempting to answer the following question: Can LLMs conduct topic model selection and inductive thematic analysis as effectively as humans did in a prior manual study, or at least reasonably, as judged by subject matter experts? We asked the same research question and used the same set of social media content for both the LLM selection of relevant topics and the LLM analysis of themes as was conducted manually in a published study about vaccine rhetoric. We used the results from that study as background for this LLM experiment by comparing the results from the prior manual human analyses with the analyses from 3 LLMs: GPT4-32K, Claude-instant-100K, and Claude-2-100K. We also assessed if multiple LLMs had equivalent ability and assessed the consistency of repeated analysis from each LLM. The LLMs generally gave high rankings to the topics chosen previously by humans as most relevant. We reject a null hypothesis (P<.001, overall comparison) and conclude that these LLMs are more likely to include the human-rated top 5 content areas in their top rankings than would occur by chance. Regarding theme identification, LLMs identified several themes similar to those identified by humans, with very low hallucination rates. Variability occurred between LLMs and between test runs of an individual LLM. Despite not consistently matching the human-generated themes, subject matter experts found themes generated by the LLMs were still reasonable and relevant. LLMs can effectively and efficiently process large social media-based health-related data sets. LLMs can extract themes from such data that human subject matter experts deem reasonable. However, we were unable to show that the LLMs we tested can replicate the depth of analysis from human subject matter experts by consistently extracting the same themes from the same data. There is vast potential, once better validated, for automated LLM-based real-time social listening for common and rare health conditions, informing public health understanding of the public's interests and concerns and determining the public's ideas to address them.

Receptiveness to monkeypox vaccines and public health communication strategies among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Singapore: cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative insights

ObjectivesMonkeypox (mpox) was declared as a global health emergency by the WHO, with most reported cases disproportionately involving gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). This...

From Hesitancy to Acceptance: An Interpretative Approach to Unravel the Vaccination Motivation Among the Rural Population

ABSTRACT Our study focuses on vaccination decisions within a collectivistic framework, prioritizing social and behavioral factors over individualistic views amidst COVID-19. Integrating behavioral biases and social ties, we inform targeted public health communication strategies. Examining vaccine uptake in rural India, we use Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to interpret deviations, capturing personal experiences and biases. Through the COM-B model and 25 interviews, we uncover motivations influenced by individual, family, and community factors. Synthesizing findings, we propose tailored public health communication grounded in behavioral psychology. Rather than disregarding biases, we explore their implications for effective interventions. This research advances health communication, particularly benefiting lower-middle-income countries with non-pharmacological approaches.

Strengthening Public Communication in Delivering Premium Services to the Community of North Labuhan Batu District

&lt;em&gt;This dissertation aims to study the public communication strategies used by the North Labuhanbatu Regency government to provide the best service to the community. This shows that improving communication infrastructure and human resources is needed to improve public service performance and community satisfaction. This research focuses on media observations in Aek Kanopan, North Labuhanbatu Regency. Primary data was collected from documents, books and journals, as well as secondary data from discussions, interviews and focus group observations. Interactive analysis and triangulation ensure fairness, reliability, and appropriateness of the method. Analysis of excellent service in North Labuhanbatu Regency shows that communication is very important to strengthen government and community relations. To achieve community satisfaction, things like accessibility, responsiveness, and transparency must be used. Better public communication can help the North Labuhanbatu Regency government increase trust, community participation, crisis management, public education, and strengthen shared values. This can all be achieved through effective two-way interaction and communication. The government's digital communication model combines digital technology, two-way communication, transparency, and excellent service. The public's response to efforts to strengthen government communications shows that the public is actively involved in government efforts and provides criticism and appreciation. Improving the quality and accessibility of public services through digitalization and innovation in the civil registration, education, health and social systems is part of the communication dynamics in North Labuhanbatu Regency. One of the efforts made is to increase service efficiency through the use of information technology, improve two-way communication for better response, and increase staff capacity to ensure effective and efficient services.&lt;/em&gt;

No travellers from China? The imperative for developing empathetic public health policies and communication strategies post-COVID.

No travellers from China? The imperative for developing empathetic public health policies and communication strategies post-COVID.

Exploring Climate Change Communication in Afghanistan on the X Platform over the Last Six Months of 2024

Social media has emerged as an accessible communication tool for mass audiences worldwide. These new platforms are widely used in Afghanistan for various purposes. Given Afghanistan's high vulnerability to climate change impacts, the country requires effective public awareness and communication strategies across both traditional and new media. To inform policymaking for collective climate action, there is a need to analyze the content of social media discourse on climate change. The primary aim of this study is to explore climate change communication on the X platform to develop effective policies and strategies for leveraging social media, particularly the X platform, to communicate about climate change impacts in Afghanistan. The study employed a descriptive research design combined with a content analysis approach. The results indicate that the social media discourse revolved around key themes, including climate change impacts, Afghanistan's vulnerability to droughts, flash floods, monsoon rains, and unexpected snowfall, the lack of funding for climate change communication and mitigation efforts, and the disproportionate impact on women. The analysis also found that the total user engagement during the five-month study period reached 424,522 interactions, including reposts, replies, likes, and views. The findings of this study can inform the development of targeted, evidence-based communication strategies and policies to raise public awareness and catalyze collective action on climate change in Afghanistan, leveraging the reach and engagement potential of social media platforms.

Public Communication for Effective Service Delivery to Refugees in Uganda. The Case of Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement

This study argues that Public Communication in Refugee Settlements, when managed professionally and structurally with a deliberate open feedback mechanism for the end-users of services provided by the government and its development partners, could be a great tool for the evaluation and enhancement of public services provided in Refugee Settlements. The study analyses the education and health sectors as parameters for the government’s service delivery in the case of the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. Taking a qualitative research methodology approach with the case of Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, the study found that the Uganda Refugees Act (2006), which authorises service provision by the government to the refugees, has no specific public communication strategy or policy clearly spelled as a communication framework to support service provision feedback. Therefore, the study recommends a direct public engagement communication strategy involving refugees and relevant stakeholders in the public service provision with the ultimate goal of improving service delivery at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement

Confirmation bias, information selection, and belief reinforcement about the safety/risk of nuclear spent fuel storage facilities

This study investigates the phenomenon of confirmation bias in information selection in the context of nuclear spent fuel (NSF) storage facilities. An online survey was administered to a sample of 321 residents in South Korea. They were asked to assess their beliefs about the safety/risk of NSF storage facilities before and after their exposure to additional information. Our findings show a positive association between the initial belief and confirmation bias, suggesting that the research participants tend to select articles consistent with their beliefs about the safety/risk of the facility. Trust in government is negatively related to confirmation bias, implying that residents with a greater level of trust in government are more likely to choose information opposing their initial beliefs. Finally, this study finds the self-reinforcing and potentially polarizing nature of individuals' beliefs about the safety/risk of NSF storage facilities as residents’ initial beliefs are reinforced rather than challenged after they reviewed self-selected articles. Implications for public policy and communication strategies related to improving the acceptance of NSF storage facilities are discussed.

Implementation of the Ministry of Agriculture's Communication and Relationship Management Strategy on the Importance of Satu Data Indonesia

Satu Data Indonesia (SDI) is a government data governance policy that aims to support the availability of data that is accurate, up-to-date, integrated, accountable and easily accessible and shared between government agencies to support development planning, monitoring and evaluation towards an advanced Indonesia. This policy is contained in Presidential Regulation no. 39 of 2019 concerning One Data Indonesia and is expected to improve data governance. The purpose of this research is to analyze the implementation of effective public communication and relationship management strategies in increasing the Ministry of Agriculture's awareness of the importance of One Data Indonesia Towards Advanced Indonesia. The method used in this research is qualitative with a case study approach. Researchers will conduct in-depth interviews with Ministry of Agriculture officials. The Ministry of Agriculture has shown a strong commitment to the implementation of SDI through initiatives and regulations that have been issued. The Ministry of Agriculture has launched the Agricultural Data Portal as an efficient and comprehensive form of public communication in raising awareness of the importance of One Data Indonesia Towards a Developed Indonesia.

Global insights from local actions: a case study on enhancing flood disaster management efficiency in China's Greater Bay Area.

This study examines the flood disaster management network within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) from 2015 to 2021, identifying government department involvement and influence shifts. Key findings indicate a decrease in the centrality of the Public Security Office and Department of Transportation, suggesting a strategic shift toward more specialized, technology-driven disaster management. Conversely, the Science Bureau's increased engagement, from 8.43% to 12.84%, highlights a policy shift toward scientific research and technological innovation in managing flood risks. The analysis reveals underutilized communication between the Central Committee, the Poverty Alleviation Office, and the Publicity Department, highlighting opportunities for improved integration in disaster management and public communication strategies. To address these issues, the study suggests strengthening inter-departmental collaboration to leverage technological advancements in disaster management. It also recommends integrating flood disaster management with poverty alleviation initiatives to support affected populations comprehensively. Increasing the involvement of the Publicity Department is crucial for improving timely and transparent communication of flood-related data to the public. The conclusions advocate for an adaptive, strategically planned network approach to flood disaster management in the GBA, aiming to bolster responsiveness and preparedness for future flood events.

Government Public Communication Strategy Through Social Media In the Digital Era (Case Study on Bangli Regency Government)

Government Public Communication Strategy Through Social Media In the Digital Era (Case Study on Bangli Regency Government)