One incident, five stories: what flydubai FZ1073 tells us about who owns a crisis

Posted on by CIPR Crisis Comms
Commercial airplane banking steeply beneath dark storm clouds

March 2015, October 2026 On 26 March 2015, two days after Germanwings flight 4U9525 crashed in the French Alps, the Marseille public prosecutor met the families, then stepped in front of the press. Until that moment, we at Lufthansa had been communicating about an accident. But within minutes it had become something else entirely – … Continue reading One incident, five stories: what flydubai FZ1073 tells us about who owns a crisis

Why crisis response can’t save bad decisions

Posted on by CIPR Crisis Comms
Storm-lashed medieval stone castle on a cliff edge with lightning striking over a turbulent sea, a large breach in the outer wall, guards standing on the battlements, and a vertical banner reading “Crisis Response” hanging from a tower, symbolising leadership under pressure and reputational risk.

The effectiveness of crisis communications is rooted in proactive preparedness rather than reactive response. Organisations must integrate communications teams into decision-making processes before crises arise. By building reputations and relationships over time, they can better withstand challenges. Success in crises depends on prior investments in integrity and stakeholder trust.

ARE WE WELL-PLACED TO BE THE SO-CALLED “ETHICAL GUARDIAN”?

Posted on by CIPR Crisis Comms

Jaquie L’Etang’s paper “The myth of the ‘ethical guardian’: An examination of its origins, potency and illusions” will be 20 years old this coming year.  It is as relevant today as it ever was, and I thank Dr Heather Yaxley for reminding me of it at our recent webinar entitled Ethics – How to Work Out the Right Thing To … Continue reading ARE WE WELL-PLACED TO BE THE SO-CALLED “ETHICAL GUARDIAN”?