PubliCo. A protocol for a new risk and crisis communication platform to bridge the gap between policy makers and the public in the context of the COVID-19 crisis (Preprint)

Abstract

\n UNSTRUCTURED\n Background\nSince the end of 2019, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on citizens around the globe. As governments institute more restrictive measures, public adherence could decrease and discontent mount. Providing high-quality information and countering fake news is important. But we also need feedback loops so that government officials can refine preventive measures and communication strategies. Policy-makers need information – preferably based on real-time data – on the public’s cognitive, emotional and behavioural reaction to public health messages and restrictive measures. PubliCo aims to foster effective and tailored risk and crisis communication as well as an assessment of the risks and benefits of prevention and control measures, as their effectiveness depends on public trust and cooperation.\nObjective\nOur project aims to develop a tool that helps tackle the COVID-19 infodemic, with a focus on enabling a nuanced and in-depth understanding of public perception. The project adopts a trans-disciplinary multi-stakeholder approach, including participatory citizen science. \nMethods\nMethodologically, we combine literature and media review and analysis and empirical research using mixed methods, including an online survey and diary-based research, both of which are ongoing and continuously updated. Building on real-time data and continuous data collection, our research results will be highly adaptable to the evolving situation.\nStrengths and limitations of this study\n- PubliCo is a new modular and flexible tool to provide bi-directional interaction between citizens and policy-makers for risk and crisis communication\n- PubliCo relies on quantitative and qualitative data to provide a precise, timely and rich analysis of complex phenomena\n- PubliCo is open and transparent by design\n- Although important safeguards are put in place in the code, in a less democratic context it could be used for social control\n- Communicating complex notions with moral implications (e.g. about health risks, allocation strategies, and community benefits) is a challenge.\n