Sub - Project 4: Theory Building and Practice implication.

In this work package the results of all other work packages are aggregated and compared to identify similarities and differences in the risk and crisis communication of governments, health institutions, and the media across the included countries. The main intended outcome is the development of a theoretical model that elaborates on the interplay between governmental risk communication, media frames, public perceptions, and the spread of the Covid-19 disease. Such a model can offer a better understanding of influential factors in strategic risk communication and its impact on the public agenda as well as citizens’ cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses. The research team plans to use the implications of that model to develop best practice recommendations for improving public authorities’ approaches to risk communication during a large-scale pandemic.