Communication and Communication and Dissemination Dissemination MechanismsMechanisms

Geneva, 24 May 2006Geneva, 24 May 2006

Different requirements; messDifferent requirements; messaage tailored to ge tailored to specific end usersspecific end users::

• scientistsscientists

• journalistsjournalists

• decision makersdecision makers

• general publicgeneral public

• groups with special needs and groups with special needs and requirementsrequirements

Unfamiliarity with scientific (e.g. meteorological) Unfamiliarity with scientific (e.g. meteorological) jargon, definitions and terminology which are jargon, definitions and terminology which are sometimes too technical and unsuitable for public sometimes too technical and unsuitable for public dissemination and understandingdissemination and understanding

Cross cutting issuesCross cutting issues

Meteorologists and Meteorologists and hydrologistshydrologists, ….; , ….; floods floods

warningswarnings

Make the best use of already existing Make the best use of already existing communication channelscommunication channels which which are regularly used. are regularly used.

NHMSs have experience in dealing with the media.NHMSs have experience in dealing with the media.

Need for ‘‘single official voice’’.

Problems: Problems: Too late or after expiryToo late or after expiryMedia edited messagesMedia edited messages Unclear/unknown source of data and informationUnclear/unknown source of data and informationConflicting information in case of more than one Conflicting information in case of more than one sourcesource Media more interested during severe Media more interested during severe weather, tend to exaggerate weather, tend to exaggerate Threshold to issue the warningThreshold to issue the warningUncertaintyUncertainty (need for prompt decision)(need for prompt decision)Integrate some advice on how to act, expected Integrate some advice on how to act, expected impactsimpacts

How to communicate uncertainty and probability? How to communicate uncertainty and probability?

Do end users really understand it correctly?Do end users really understand it correctly?

How useful is such information without a decision How useful is such information without a decision supporting toolsupporting tool (cost (cost / / benefit analysisbenefit analysis))??

False alarm vs. missed event? False alarm vs. missed event?

How to build and maintain credibility?How to build and maintain credibility?

How to avoid confusion caused by potentially How to avoid confusion caused by potentially conflicting messages near borders? Internationally conflicting messages near borders? Internationally agreed protocol?agreed protocol?

Timely and effective dissemination of warnings for Timely and effective dissemination of warnings for events of different time scale – different response events of different time scale – different response time time

Avoid overloading!Avoid overloading!

Redundancy in systemsRedundancy in systems. .

Warning should be short, clear, use simple, Warning should be short, clear, use simple, common language, include risk and instructions to common language, include risk and instructions to reduce lossesreduce lossesConvey message appropriatelyConvey message appropriately; each media has ; each media has its own restrictionsits own restrictions. . Graphical representation, nomenclature may vary Graphical representation, nomenclature may vary from country to country; might lead to confusion. from country to country; might lead to confusion. Be prepared and trained, particularly when the Be prepared and trained, particularly when the lead time is short! lead time is short! Motivate end users; address their values, interests Motivate end users; address their values, interests and needs. Get feedbacks.and needs. Get feedbacks.Develop the strategy: for events with clearly Develop the strategy: for events with clearly pronounced seasonality: start with press pronounced seasonality: start with press conference conference atat the beginning of season, educate the beginning of season, educate and refresh memory, analyse each event, and refresh memory, analyse each event, press press release, release, point out strong points and examples of point out strong points and examples of good practicegood practice..

Regionalization, be specific (time Regionalization, be specific (time and space coordinates)and space coordinates)

Pasive or active end user? Pasive or active end user?

Radio: important during black out, the only means Radio: important during black out, the only means of access to critical warning information.of access to critical warning information.

TV has high impact with large viewing audiences in TV has high impact with large viewing audiences in most countries.most countries.

Printed media contribute significantly to the Printed media contribute significantly to the education about risks associated with severe education about risks associated with severe weather and ways to mitigate severe weather weather and ways to mitigate severe weather impacts. Not suitable in case of urgent warnings.impacts. Not suitable in case of urgent warnings.

The Internet suitable for world-wide information The Internet suitable for world-wide information dissemination. Requires active participation of dissemination. Requires active participation of end userend user

SMS very useful to inform special groups of end SMS very useful to inform special groups of end usersusers

Journalist vs. ScientistsJournalist vs. ScientistsDeveloping communication skillsDeveloping communication skills

• A process of constant learning and improvingA process of constant learning and improving• Make the best use of available technologiesMake the best use of available technologies• BBuilding a story from the “facts”uilding a story from the “facts”, select, funnel , select, funnel

and filter information, rand filter information, reiterateiterate. e. • EnEndd with a punchwith a punch, learn to use graphics to , learn to use graphics to

enhance your message.enhance your message.• build credibility, personal skills, learn to write

press releases, conuct press connferences, give interwiews, be coherent, publish articles in printed media…

Seminars, workshops and experience Seminars, workshops and experience sharingsharing

Live Live severe severe weather warningweather warning