Expert Lecture: Crisis Management in Government
Corona virus 19 pandemic has hit Indonesia for more than 6 months, claiming thousands of deaths. It caused economic recession in various countries. Socially, the Covid 19 pandemic has also caused fear in the community. Many aspects change drastically and rapidly. In this expert lecture, the Indonesian Islamic University Communication Science (28/11) invited Eko setiawan SI Kom, M. Med.Kom, a social media strategist from the Communication and Information Agency of East Java.
Eko explained that psychologically, in a disaster situation, in this case the Covid 19 pandemic, people will continue to look for the latest information. Information about the number and area distribution of people who have been confirmed positive has become much sought after by the community.
To be able to provide accurate information, the government’s recommendation must know the demographic map of its population, age, distribution of areas, and also the widely used media. The type of content presented must also be considered carefully so as not to add to panic and be useful. From the start, the agenda setting was that news had to have a good impact, for example not to panic, prioritizing a healthy and safe life with a new lifestyle using masks, diligently washing hands, keeping your distance. “The focus of information is information that has an impact on society for the public, it is useful not just ceremonial news,” said Eko.
To make the information easy to understand, the Communication and Information Technology Agency of East Java also uses videos and infographics to support the readability of the community. “If you look at the demographic data of the community, the social media platforms that are widely used by people are FB and IG,” said Eko.
In a pandemic situation that is completely uncertain, the government must provide services that can be accessed interactively and quickly. In this case, the East Java communication and information office made a tactical move. Some of them are establishing media centers and call centers to receive complaints and reports from the public regarding Covid 19, conducting press conferences, both periodically and incidental, open volunteers and using networks to disseminate information, spread information through billboards, posters, banners, and public service advertisements.
