The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative

After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. 

Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future. 

On the transfer, co-founder Victoria Martin expressed her pleasure to see this work continue under Wits' leadership, knowing that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction. 

As Wits, we honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades and look forward building from that strong base. This includes co-founders Warren Feek (1953-2024) and Victoria Martin as well as La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA), which continues independently at lainiciativadecomunicacion.com with links to The CI Global site. We are also eager to forge new partnerships and entertain new ideas as we consider how best to contribute to social and behaviour change in our rapidly evolving environment.

If you are joining the International Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Summit in Panama, please join Wits and CILA on Monday, 22 June, to share your thoughts and suggestion for the relaunch of the Communication Initiative. We will be in Pacifica 5 from 12-1:25 for the Refuel, Reflect, and Renew Lunch Series: The Communication Initiative: celebrating a driving force for Communication for Social Change and the way forward. We will reflect on the legacy of Warren Feek and family in creating the Communication Initiative, consider the contributions of CI over the years and then turn our attention towards the future in this dynamic session. 

If you are unable to join us in Panama, we still want to hear from you. Please contribute your thoughts by following this link: https://redcap.link/CommunicationInitiative2026 or reaching out to ci_surveys@commint.com. 

You can also follow the QR Code:

 https://redcap.link/CommunicationInitiative2026

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Effective Media Communication During Public Health Emergencies

3 comments

Author

  • Randall N Hyer
  • Vincent T Covello
This set of materials includes a handbook, field guide, and wall chart.

Handbook
The handbook describes a seven-step process to assist officials and others to communicate effectively through the media during emergencies. Based on the belief that implementing a proactive and interactive approach will strengthen the ability of public health organisations and officials to ensure that their messages are accurately reported, highly visible and clearly heard.

The seven steps are:
  • Step 1: Assess media needs, media constraints, and internal media-relations capabilities
  • Step 2: Develop goals, plans and strategies
  • Step 3: Train communicators
  • Step 4: Prepare messages
  • Step 5: Identify media outlets and media activities
  • Step 6: Deliver messages
  • Step 7: Evaluate messages and performance

Click here to download the handbook in PDF format.

Field Guide
The Field Guide is a shortened version of the Handbook. It highlights the practical aspects of the seven-step approach.

Click here to download the field guide in PDF format.

Wall Chart
As an aid to easy recollection of the key issues brought up in the above publications, a detachable double-sided wall chart has been provided at the end of the handbook. The chart shows the seven-step approach and aims to provide easily recalled key information and advice.

Click here to download the wall chart in PDF format.

Publishers

Publication Date
Source

WHO Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response website, January 28 2006.

Comments

User Image
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/18/2006 - 17:10 Permalink

Nowadays, it is much more difficult to cooperate with the media effectively as in my viewpoint, they always want to transmit news according to the interests of the public. While sometimes we do have to show the other side of the truth for a period. Thus, this page provides a good example for us in how to prepare for those materials for the media.

User Image
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/20/2009 - 02:05 Permalink

Dear Comunication

I want to you Donor informatiom who will give emergency support for Aila Affected People

Thanks
Hasi