A Nordic perspective: Three areas for improvement in municipal risk communication
The study shows, among other things, that municipalities in both Sweden and Norway face challenges in distinguishing between risk communication and crisis communication. The researchers propose three areas for improvement in municipal risk communication: clearly differentiating between risk and crisis communication, accepting ambiguity, and raising the priority of risk communication.
At a time when disasters, pandemics, pollution, and other crises are receiving increased attention, local authorities bear a crucial responsibility for effective risk communication. Yet, there remains a gap in our understanding of how municipalities approach risk communication before a crisis occurs.
This qualitative study – based on seven focus groups and 29 semi-structured interviews conducted in two Nordic countries – explores questions of ownership in municipal risk communication: What challenges do municipalities face in managing ownership of risk communication? How does the organization of communication affect municipal risk communication?
The researchers propose three key areas for improvement in municipal risk communication:
1. Clarifying definitions: Municipalities need to clearly distinguish between risk communication and crisis communication to develop effective strategies and enable internal discussions around transparency and confidentiality.
2. Embracing ambiguity: Uncertainty and ambiguity in risk communication should be viewed as opportunities rather than obstacles. Embracing these aspects can strengthen municipal preparedness and understanding of risks.
3. Raising priority and support: Risk communication is often undervalued within municipal administrations. Decision-makers should recognize its importance and provide stronger support to help build resilient communities.
This study, which offers a Nordic outlook on how municipalities work with risk communication to enhance crisis preparedness, was conducted in collaboration with Norwegian researchers.