View source for Guidelines for the use of new media in crisis situations

{{Guideline
|Publishing Organisation=Project COSMIC
|Language=English
|Year Published=2015
|Target Audience=Civil Society, Policy Makers, Practitioners
|Status=Published
|Covers Thematic=Crisis communication, Social Media Strategy
|Audience Experience Level=Starter
|Source Website=https://crisislab.nl/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Final-Guidelines_-Crisislab-website-1.pdf
|Synopsis=The document provides the final guidelines for the '''Contribution of Social Media in Crisis Management (COSMIC)''' project. 

The guidelines aim to enhance the safety and security of citizens by supporting both citizens, and public authorities, in their use of social media to complement their crisis management efforts.


<big>'''TIPS AND TRICKS FOR PUBLIC AUTHORITIES'''</big>

'''PRE-CRISIS PHASE'''
* Develop a social media strategy for all members of your organization
* Ensure privacy & data protection
* Prepare for increased communication and information flows during a crisis and take preparations to monitor these information flows
* Facilitate information sharing by first responders
* Establish collaboration and communication channels with relevant organizations like (other) public authorities before a crisis
* Practice the relation between internal and external communication processes regularly
* Be careful with using participatory actions to increase follower engagement
* Encourage citizens to support disaster management capacities by using social media when crises occur and provide them with guidance to help fulfil your needs
* Create awareness for responsible and effective use of social media during crises by citizens and employees
* Stimulate recognizability of information and ensure continuity
* Use social media accounts to prepare citizens for high probability hazards and to inform them of the hazards they face


'''CRISIS PHASE'''
* Communicate regularly, quickly and with honesty, candor and openness
* Ensure information reaches your target audience & differentiate in communication channels
* Ensure clear, effective, to the point communication and continuity
* Work with others to gain information, encourage the sharing of information and the building of situational awareness
* Encourage citizens to inform and help others
* Stimulate the flow of information & add value
* Be transparent in how you use data and address copyright and privacy issues
* Ensure information is correct: Verify, Validate and correct (mis)information!
* Facilitate the (enhanced) communication needs
  

''Private companies:''
* Monitor and cooperate with the (conventional) channels of crisis communication by public authorities to ensure that communication and advice directed at citizens will be recognized
* Cooperate with and adapt to emergent group initiatives on social media during crises and encourage citizens to do so, too


'''POST-CRISIS PHASE'''
* Direct people to after care initiatives & encourage them to care for each other
* Elicit resources for the recovery
* Seek feedback from those you communicated with during a crisis situation



<big>'''TIPS AND TRICKS FOR CITIZENS'''</big>

*WHEN PREPARING
''Prepare yourself for crises''

* WHEN SEEKING AID
''Ask for help and disclose your location''

* WHEN SEEKING INFORMATION
''Ensure your information is trustworthy''

* WHEN PROVIDING AID
''Participate in the flow of information''
'' Volunteer to support emergency services''

*  WHEN MOBILIZING
'' Create and stimulate networks''
'' Stimulate the networks action potential''
'' Mobilize to address crises of societal values''
''  Ensure your and others safety''

* WHEN REPORTING INFORMATION
'' Ensure a broad scope & consider your communication venue''
'' Ensure your information is correct and can be validated or verified''
'' Engage ethically in citizen media practices''
|Is Archived=No
|Disaster Management Phase=Before, During, After
|Data Sources=Facebook, Twitter
}}