Strategic Communications
Strategic communication (Strat Comms) refers to the way in which policies and actions are communicated to the public (local and international), in order to build up an alliance of people willing to support desired outcomes. Successful strategic communication is an integral and transformational part of delivery; a two-way process, and key to bringing about change in attitudes, beliefs and behaviours in the people upon whom stabilisation success depends.
Documents
‘Skyful of lies’ and Black Swans
| Date added: | 22/02/2011 |
Author: Nik Gowing
Institution: Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
Publication date: 2009
Keywords: Strategic Communications
Read Full Text Here: http://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/nc/publications/risj-challenges/skyful-of-lies-black-swans.html(requires registration to read)
Relevance:
With the uncontrolled impact of instant news, institutions of power have become increasingly vulnerable. Unable to keep pace with real time information they may appear ineffective and indifferent. Nik Gowing has been a main presenter on the BBC’s 24 hour international news channel, ‘BBC World News’, since 1996 and this paper draws on his experience to hi... Read More
Wither Strategic Communication?
| Date added: | 06/04/2011 |
Author: Christopher Paul
Institution: RAND
Publication Date: 2009
Keywords: Strategic Communications
Read Full Text Here: http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP250.html
Relevance:
Strategic Communications has been the target of criticism within the US since 9/11. There have been many calls for reform, but little uniformity. The RAND Corporation has therefore conducted a survey of documents and articles, and interviewed stakeholders, to catalogue recommendations and identify common themes.
Key Issues:
The study has found four common themes for overhauling the US Strategic Communication system: a call for leadership, a demand for an increase in resources, a clearly defined overall strategy an... Read More
Strategic Communication: The Heart of Post-Conflict Processes
| Date added: | 06/04/2011 |
Author: Frances Fortune and Oscar Bloh
Institution: ACCORD
Publication Date: 2008
Keywords: Strategic Communications
Read Full Text Here: http://www.accord.org.za/downloads/ct/ct_2008_2.pdf?phpMyAdmin=ceeda2df659e6d3e35a63d69e93228f1
Relevance
In post-conflict countries Strategic Communication can be used to engender change, but all too often it has not been placed at the centre of post-conflict reconstruction and reform processes. Using examples from Africa, this article looks at ways in which Strategic Communication can increase the public’s understanding and trust in the government through greater transparency and accountability.
Key Issues
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Strategic Communication: Getting Back to Basics
| Date added: | 06/04/2011 |
Author: Admiral Mike Mullen
Institution: Joint Chiefs of Staff
Publication Date: 2009
Keywords: Strategic Communication
Read Full Text Here: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/08/28/strategic_communication_getting_back_to_basics
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(The link requires the user to log in to view the article)
Admiral Mike Mullen is Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff and attempts to take a hard look at the U.S. Government's approach to Strategic Communication and “get it back on track”. This article was written in 2009 in order to inform the Quadrennial Defence Review.
Adm. Mullen believes that Strategic Communication has become an abstract thought instead of a way of thinking and as... Read More
Strategic Communication: A Primer
| Date added: | 22/02/2011 |
Publication Date: 2008
Author: Commander (Cdr) Steve Tatham
Institution: Defence Academy UK
Keywords: Strategic Communications
Read Full Text Here: http://www.da.mod.uk/colleges/arag/document-listings/special/08%2828%29ST.pdf
Relevance:
This paper is intended to fill a perceived gap in British military thinking on Strategic Communication. The paper highlights the key issues on developing Strategic Communication across government and suggests some solutions (although there are some that find Cdr Tatham's views flawed). The paper concludes by discussing the role of Strategic Communication within UK military operations, the need for robust measures of effectiveness and a short assessment of the challenges of ... Read More
Make It Theirs: The Imperative of Local Ownership in Communications and Media Initiatives
| Date added: | 06/04/2011 |
Author:Simon Haselock
Institution:United States Institute of Peace (USIP)
Publication Date:2010
Keywords:Strategic Communications
Read Full Text Here: http://www.usip.org/files/resources/SR253%20-%20Make%20it%20Theirs.pdf
Relevance:
This special report from the United States Institute of Peace highlights the need for local ownership of communications. The paper analyses the post Cold War period of military intervention from the Balkans, the Middle East, Africa and Afghanistan and demonstrates some of the failings in communications from the West.
Key Issues:
Western 'international interventions' often generate criticism, which compares them with 'colonialism', as the Wes... Read More
Lessons Learnt Working with Media in Iraq
| Date added: | 24/02/2011 |
Author: AlbanyAssociates
Institution: AlbanyAssociates
Publication Date: 2007
Keywords: Strategic Communications, Iraq
Download Full Text: Click Here
Relevance
Albany Associates were working in Iraq from 2003 on media and communications with the Communications and Media Commission of Iraq (CMC) and advising the Iraqi Government on media law, freedom of speech, media development and communications regulation. This report (2007) identifies the lessons they learnt during that time.
Key Issues
The CMC (much like the BBC) is funded by a licence fee and thus retains its independence from the Iraqi Government; however,... Read More
Commander’s Handbook for Strategic Communication
| Date added: | 23/02/2011 |
Author: US Joint Forces Command
Institution: US Joint Forces Command
Publication Date: 2010
Keywords: Strategic Communications
Read Full Text Here: http://www.carlisle.army.mil/DIME/documents/Strategic%20Communication%20Handbook%20Ver%203%20-%20June%202010%20JFCOM.pdf
Relevance:
The February 2006 US Quadrennial Defence Review (QDR) identified five areas for particular emphasis, and Strategic Communication was one of them, leading to the publication of this handbook. The handbook attempts to offer some background and definitions for Strategic Communication and shows some planning tools that attempt to synchronise themes, messages and actions, underneath... Read More
Cheering for Osama, how Jihadists use internet discussion forums
| Date added: | 28/02/2011 |
Author: Mohammed Ali Musawi
Institution: Quilliam Foundation
Publication date: 2010
Keywords: Strategic Communications
Read Full Text Here: http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/images/stories/pdfs/cheering-for-osama.pdf
Relevance:
The Quilliam Foundation was formed by former leading ideologues of UK-based extremist Islamist organisations. Their aim is to counter the Islamist ideology behind terrorism. This article, focussing on Arab language websites, shows how Jihadist movements recruit and consolidate their followers, illustrates how they use theology and ideology to justify their violent actions and suggests ways in which Western governments can challenge the worldview and ideology of these groups.