FOREWORD Cover Image

FOREWORD
FOREWORD

Author(s): Neville Bolt
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, Politics and communication, Theory of Communication, Editorial
Published by: NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence
Keywords: strategic communications; politics; COVID-19 pandemic; liberal politics; democracy; foreword; editorial;

Summary/Abstract: Suspension of disbelief occurs when theatre audiences embrace the actors’ version of normality. Suspension of civil liberties happens when governments tell citizens their normality is at risk. Both require consensus, a collective will to buy into the story being told. But consensus conflates stories within stories, seducing us into a group understanding that blurs boundaries, that focuses on the moment. These have been troubling days for those engaged in strategic communications. The line between crisis communications and strategic communications has faded. The tactical has supplanted the strategic. Consequently, the short term task of securing people in danger stands increasingly at odds with retaining their compliance over the long term? [...]

  • Issue Year: 8/2020
  • Issue No: 8
  • Page Range: 3-13
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: English