PANDEMIC COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (CASE: SPAIN AND POLAND)

The current pandemic has provided many examples of effective and not so effective communication strategies from government agencies. In this short article, the authors focus on an analysis of the COVID-19 crisis communication from selected governments of Spain and Poland. Despite the differences in communication strategies of both countries, resulting from characteristic administrative structures and constitutional competences, common features as well as errors and shortcomings can be observed. The authors conclude that the particularism of political interests of the party politicians, who were in power at the time of the pandemic outbreak (regardless of their political foundations) may be a threat to the national security of a given country undermining the public trust, causing unwanted behaviours and thus translating into an extent and a duration of the pandemic as well as negative economic consequences. The crisis of the virus turns out to be a test that highlights the shortcomings of the political and social systems of both countries and opens up the field for further research.

REFERENCES (11)

Badcock, J., 2020. Coronavirus: Why Spain is seeing second wave. BBC NEWS.

Google Scholar

Boin, A., Mcconnell, A., Stern, E., Hart, P., 2020. Leading in a Crisis: How to Successfully Communicate, government technology, April 27.

Google Scholar

Kasprzak, P., Kryzys wirusa – pokaż mi swoją strategię, powiem ci kim jesteś. Firma i Rynek, Zeszyty Naukowe, Zachodniopomorska Szkoła Biznesu, Nr 57, 2020/05/13.

Google Scholar

Ławniczak, R., 2013. The unseen power of public relations in the era of globalization. Conference paper presented at: BledCom Conference.

Google Scholar

Nebehay, S., 2010. WHO admits shortcomings in handling flu pandemic. Health & Pharma.

Google Scholar

Nelson, R., 2012. Promoting Travel while Protecting National Security, CSIS June 19.

Google Scholar

OECD, 2020. COVID-19: Tourism Policy Responses (as of 25 March 2020), https://read.oecd- -ilibrary.org/view/?ref=124_124984-7uf8nm95se&title=Covid-19_Tourism_Policy_Responses (dostęp 10.05.2020).

Google Scholar

PAHO, 2009. Creating a Communication Strategy for Pandemic Influenza.

Google Scholar

RAPORT PIE, 2020. Branża turystyczna w Polsce. Obraz sprzed pandemii.

Google Scholar

10.

Tremlett, G., 2020. How did Spain get its coronavirus response so wrong? The Guardian, March 3rd.

Google Scholar

11.

WHO, World Health Organization Outbreak Communication Planning Guide, 2008 Edition.

Google Scholar

Submit your paper