THE ROLE AND PLACE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES IN CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS OF PUBLIC SECTOR INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

An analytical review of the domestic legislative framework and scientific literature on determining the role and place of local self-government authorities in crisis communications of public sector institutions was conducted, and it was found that timely provision of reliable, up-to-date and truthful information to the public is absolutely necessary. This issue is especially acute for local self-government authorities during unforeseen challenges, threats and emergencies. Meanwhile, it has been determined that local self-government authorities are the institution that is often one of the first to receive information about events and at the same time the first to receive a request for this information from the population and from other institutions, organizations and public authorities. And that is why local self-government authorities are entrusted with the task of establishing effective crisis communications with all public sector institutions. In addition, it is the ability to respond to challenges related to this demand that determines the trust of the population in authorities and state institutions, which in turn affects their image, including in the eyes of the public. In order to ensure readiness for crisis communications management, local self-government authorities are suggested to implement a crisis management system, an integral part of which should be a crisis communications system; develop and implement the Communication Strategy as an integral part of the Community Development Strategy; to form a universal anti-crisis team and to ensure that appropriate exercises, classes, trainings and trainings are held on a permanent basis; implementing generally recognized European standards of communication to build an effective system of communication interaction with society, involving socially active citizens, mass communication media and civil society institutions on a partnership basis.