From knowledge to action: Geneva hosts first global UN event on risk communication

Institutions cannot build or sustain a resilient information ecosystem in silo. Clear responsibilities, dedicated resources, and established collaboration between public authorities, scientists, media, telecommunications providers and communities are essential. These relationships, backed by communication strategies, provide a foundation for coordinated action when an emergency unfolds.

The place of the media in this collaboration remains insufficiently recognized. Too often, the media are still treated as a megaphone called only when there is an emergency. Yet their contribution extends beyond relaying warnings: they can help people navigate uncertainty and inform policymakers and humanitarian agencies about communities' needs and concerns. As the media can hold institutions accountable, they should be included in formal frameworks and procedures, such as national risk assessments and simulation exercises.

Mohamed Boudouri, Vice-President of the Comoros National Council for the Press and Audiovisual Media, shared his experience of developing a national communication plan on disaster risk management, guided by UNESCO's Model Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan for Media Institutions .

Effective preparedness also requires operational and financial support. Sonia Gill, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, underscored the institutional vulnerabilities and economic pressures threatening media viability, particularly for local media. Keeping newsrooms financially independent and sustainable reserves communities' access to reliable information before and during emergencies.