Doeltreffende risicocommunicatie

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness and future orientation of the way in which the Dutch government communicates risks to the general public. Research questions focused on the extent that the communication aims were reached and fulfilled the information needs of the general public. It was further investigated to what extent the communication aims corresponded to relevant governmental policy documents and to what extent the development and execution of risk communication processes were adequate and efficient, and complied with the scientific knowledge on risk communication. The study had a mixed-methods design and consisted of a literature review, three empirical investigations among citizens (a survey, a secondary analysis of panel studies related to the corona crisis, and a content analyses of the reactions on social media to press conferences announcing behavioural guidelines) and a set of in-depth interviews with national and regional governmental risk communication professionals. Results showed that a large proportion of the public considers itself well-informed regarding risks in the local environment, but less well-informed with respect to adequate actions that they can take themselves to reduce these risks. Participants indicated to have recently taken a number actions that were easy to implement to reduce risks, such as those posed by the corona virus. Citizens seem to have a need for information that is personally relevant. The information provided by the government regarding the risks mentioned in the “Regionaal Risicoprofiel” was considered to be clear and well-articulated. Citizens further indicated that, in the spring of 2020, the government explained their motivations behind the corona related advices, rules and regulations well. The interviews with the professionals made clear that the addressed risk communication topics conformed

Dit rapport bevat een verslag van een onderzoek naar de doeltreffendheid en toekomstbestendigheid van de manier waarop de Nederlandse overheid over risico’s communiceert. In deze context houdt doeltreffendheid in dat de communicatiedoelen bereikt worden, dat de communicatie aansluit bij de informatiebehoefte van de burger, dat de beoogde doelen consistent zijn met relevant beleid, en dat zij op een adequate en efficiënte manier worden bereikt. Het onderzoek richt zich dus zowel op de reacties van burgers op de communicatie als op de processen bij de overheid.