A critical point for communication 

CRJ’s Advisory Panel member Amanda Coleman explores how rising mistrust in authorities, fuelled by recent crises and misinformation, is reshaping crisis communication and emergency response in the UK in her latest blog for Under Pressure.


Image by kosarevich-nata | Magnific

It has been a challenging few weeks for the UK’s emergency responders following the court case related to the murder of Hendry Nowak, an 18-year-old university student who was murdered on December 3, 2025, in Southampton; the conclusion of the Nottingham attack public inquiry evidence sessions; and the knife attack in Belfast that resulted in homes and vehicles being set on fire. 

Words struggle to sum up the emotion and pain that are evident with each of these situations and others that we are probably not aware of. But, are there any key points to take from what we are experiencing?

The major problem of a lack of trust in authorities is obvious from recent experiences. This has been a growing issue since the Covid-19 pandemic, but now it has reached critical levels. Even the most mild-mannered person is questioning what information is released, and the way things are spoken about has been a major issue, leading to a growing disconnect between sections of communities and those preparing and signing off communication.

Finding a way forward is not going to be easy, but it has to start with a real understanding of how the communication is affecting people. Linked to that, the growth of misinformation and disinformation now means it is widespread. If you don’t have this as part of your crisis planning, now is the time to refresh and update those plans.

Polarisation in society is being fuelled by misinformation and the way social media is being used by some groups and individuals. It is making the response to situations more and more challenging. 

I have serious concerns that attempts to introduce stronger control on social media will make things worse rather than making them better. People already have a lack of trust in what is said, and they will find ways to share on other social media. Getting beneath the channel to understand the mindset, attitudes and behaviour is more critical to finding a way forward. 

It is clear that managing emergency and crisis situations has changed, is changing and will not be the way we have experienced it in previous years. We have to keep things under review, open to change and understand what is happening around us.

Read the original piece here.