Public Relations and Crisis Communication

Crisis communication examines how organizations, governments, and institutions convey information and manage relationships during emergencies, scandals, and disasters—with the goal of limiting harm to both affected publics and the organization itself. The rise of social media has fundamentally reshaped this practice, giving audiences direct channels to seek information, express concern, and hold institutions accountable in real time, which raises new questions about how official communicators can respond quickly without sacrificing accuracy or trust. Researchers are particularly interested in dialogic communication—genuine two-way exchange with stakeholders rather than broadcast-style messaging—and whether it meaningfully improves outcomes during a crisis or remains more aspiration than practice. Open questions include how organizations should balance transparency with legal and reputational risk, and how lessons from one type of crisis, such as a natural disaster, transfer to structurally different situations like a public health emergency or corporate scandal.

Works

82,604

Total citations

535,701

Keywords

Crisis CommunicationSocial MediaPublic RelationsDisaster ManagementStakeholder EngagementEmergency Response