There is no doubt that technological progress has changed the way information is collected and transmitted at the micro and macro scales. Whether it is Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, Instagram, Pinterest, etc., social media have completely changed the way we communicate.
In the public sector, social media certainly plays a key role in the way information is communicated, but the information must be accurate, clear, and consistent throughout the organization.
We live in a 24/7/365 society. The sooner the better? If you read it on the internet, it must be true. Is information better than lack of information? Post the news as soon as possible, especially in emergencies, timing is everything. How many times have you read articles online with grammatical or factual errors? The use of social media must be carefully planned and implemented within the organization for its intended purpose; otherwise, it will be counterproductive, ineffective, potentially harmful, and, in extreme cases, will cause suspicion, fear, and mistrust in the public.
In the past, it was to think first, then to speak, to say your meaning and meaning, but now it is to read and reread. Don't act hastily. Read and re-read before clicking submit. Communication development, while providing opportunities for rapid transmission of data and messages to a large audience, is a powerful tool, but instant error information cannot and should not replace accurate information. A proper balance needs to be struck between the timing, quantity, and quality of message and information delivery.
This evolution of high-tech communication is also a bit of a paradox, because the speed and number of messages that can be transmitted at one time should cause a pause, and public sector employees are encouraged to carefully consider what to expect. says and how to explain it. . Remember this is not Las Vegas. Everything you say or do, especially in public places or forums, can be evaluated and censored by a large audience. This is not the same as tweeting or posting on the internet. The photo or video takes the same time.
Text chat or face-to-face meeting???
Which one do you prefer? Military and political leader Colin Powell said: "The day soldiers stop causing you problems is the day you stop leading them. Either they lose confidence that you can help them or they conclude that you don't care. In either case, it is a failure of leadership. "I believe that the importance of face-to-face meetings, one-on-one communication, and/or traditional public forums cannot be underestimated, nor can their benefits be underestimated.
In the public sector, I have something that I call the "fish tank effect." "Politics, The media, public oversight, transparency, and accountability all contribute to the fish tank effect', which means that if you work in the public sector, you must meet higher standards. Your actions are better than words and perceptions.
Self-reflection and personal inclination are important because working for the public requires a firm commitment to serving and participating in the community, as well as being an advocate. Public sector employees are trustees of public funds and therefore have great responsibilities. In this sense alone, public sector employees have an obligation to sit down and discuss their concerns with these individuals (be they residents, business owners, or other stakeholders), and actively listen to and involve them, either in the planning process or in budget hearings or other forms of public activity.
The call is great. I am trying to comply with the 24-hour callback rule. I can at least say that I have received your message and I will reply and give you an answer before a certain date. Of course, text messages and emails are acceptable, but I think they should be used to supplement phone calls and face-to-face meetings, not to replace them. I am an avid believer and supporter. Only through face-to-face meetings and one-on-one communication can real trust be achieved. As public sector employees, we have a responsibility to ensure these opportunities are provided.
Convey clear and consistent information
George Seldes' weekly newsletter In Fact, Inc. published in 1942 entitled: The facts are...: The false and propaganda guidelines in news and radio The corruption in power and the press is mainly due to its close ties with special interest groups. He said, "What is the most powerful force in the United States today? Answer: public opinion. What is public opinion? Answer: The main force in the press. "Does this still apply today?
I believe that public opinion today is as important or more important as it was in 1942. Whether it is the 'press', other media, or other Internet trolls, our society looks constantly affected by information, news, and editorials Bombardment, Therefore, especially in the public sector, these information transmissions must be clear, timely, accurate, and provide consistent information.
Throughout history, to this day, the media has been and always will spread news, events, and other forms of information to a wide audience through any medium. Although communication has evolved from an oral tradition to a written text sent through The Pony Express, the power of the media and public opinion has remained constant and omnipresent through telegraph lines and fiber optic networks. The only difference is the speed of sending and receiving messages.
Think of the public leaders who have embraced the media and used it as a resource most effectively in history. Many people are also known as the most attractive people in history. Some people came to mind: President Abraham Lincoln, President James A. Garfield, who revolutionized the "front porch movement", President Theodore Roosevelt, who effectively and actively interacted with the media, but also learned" "Exposure black" (a negative metaphor for current things) is usually called investigative journalism) the power that the media must expose.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt often used radio broadcasts affectionately called "fireside talks" to reach homes across the country, and to convey messages in a way that appealed to and aroused the trust of the American public.
The power of words
Whether spoken, written, SMS, or Twitter, words are powerful and must be chosen carefully, especially in difficult times and environments. I mentioned several public figures in history, and I think they used the media effectively to convey information to a large number of voters.
Think about famous speeches that have happened, when they happened, and why these speeches may or should be the most influential speeches ever or at a key or decisive moment in our country's history. A few came to mind: the Gettysburg address, President Roosevelt's address to Congress after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the "I have a dream" address by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the address by President George W. Bush. across the country on September 11, 2001. This all happened in 138 years, each of which is aimed at different audiences of different sizes, all of which are different in length and a half, but all need precise delivery and words carefully selected.
When President Roosevelt addressed Congress after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt used his words very carefully. He declared war on Japan but did not declare war on Germany. Three days later, Germany declared war on the United States. During an extremely turbulent period in American history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed the general public with incredible conviction in a symbolic public display.
Although it was well known in this speech at the time, especially the phrase "I have a dream", it is still ingrained in our minds. After the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, President Bush sat at his desk and addressed the American people through a television camera. Every word he used was carefully selected, spoken, and expressed in a way that required our country's leader. the confidence instilled in citizens in the extremely tense and fragile moments of the 21st century.
I encourage you to read or listen to any of the above speeches and pay particular attention to the choice of wording, the manner of speaking, and the presence of the four speakers. There are many other examples that deserve our attention and each example illustrates why it is so important to convey clear and consistent information. We must also remember that although each of these speeches is addressed to a specific audience, it will surely be read, seen, or heard by increasingly diverse audiences.
What if President Roosevelt or President Bush did not address the country after the events of 1941 or 2001? In particular, in our 24/7/365 society, what if President Bush waits a day or two to deliver the message? I believe this information will be broadcast many times over by countless groups and individuals. What impact will this have on the American public or others around the world? Imagine if any of the above speeches never happened.
Communication is one of our most important assets and should be treated as such. In our uninterrupted lives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, we must understand what is happening around us, on the Internet, on our mobile phones, but most importantly between us. Time will not stand still or slow down, this is why we must!
Thank you!