WHAT is communication? It is a process of sending the message to receivers effectively.
When are we going to say the message was effectively communicated? When the recipients understood the essence of the message.
In this cataclysmic time, communication is one essential tool for all people to be aware, to act, and to move accordingly. There are various medium for people to communicate especially now that we have the internet that made us one global village.
In a work setting, we can communicate through teleconferencing. Office workers can discuss immediately if there are matters to be decided on. Even in the higher offices in the government, the President can easily get in-touch with his cabinet members through this means.
In these most difficult times, which is categorized as a global emergency, I would surmise that there is a communication process that our government is using. For instance, before the higher official will declare important matters like the quick release of amelioration funds to be distributed to the least fortunate members of our society, it is imperative that all plans are already in place. Once the higher official informs the people through press conference that it is at a “good-to-go stage” then, the official will make an announcement for the official groundwork to start. This is giving the people confusion and premature hope. They might think that once the news has been aired, it is at implementation stage at ground level. This resulted to people going to the streets and demanding their shares, after hearing the news. But, what happened was that the DILG is still getting from the barangays the list of qualified beneficiaries, it was still in the first stage.
In media setting, the journalist can report instantaneously whatever news that should be disseminated to the viewers, we call this “live coverage” ATM (at-the-moment) on the web. Likewise, we have cable television that help us gather pertinent news across the globe. Since we have this now, people should be more mindful when they talk to the media. Before giving press conferences, make sure that information should be checked and verified 100 times to avoid misinformation. Nowadays, people are always in tune to be updated and would react immediately and then they would resort to sharing this “unverified” information to their Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram accounts. This would result to more panic and confusion, at the same time, to people who received this information.
Now is the time for all communication professionals to help in disseminating reviewed, verified, and cross-checked information. I am challenging communication students to act as communication managers and to help in engaging in meaningful communication discourse for our society.
Ajah!