Knowing Your Audience

Knowing Your Audience Paper and Communication Release

NAME

COURSE

DUE DATE

INSTRUCTOR

Knowing Your Audience Paper and Communication Release

The “most triumphant” story of the year in 2010 was the entrapment of 33 Chilean copper miners during a mine collapse. Public fascination grew across the globe as events unraveled from the initial collapse, confirmation the miners were alive, the rescue, and the recovery. Media sources broadcasted updates to the public to keep the world in the know regarding the current operations. Although the information seemed adequate to those removed for the incident, the trapped miners and their families experienced many moments of silence as updates were not shared readily (Volk, 2011).

The families of the trapped miners are one audience in need of updated information on a frequent basis. Their needs changed over time of this event. Many sensed frustration as those needs were not met (Anonymous, 2010). The family wanted to know who was involved in the collapse after receiving the initial notification. Upon the confirmation the collapse involved their family member, they wanted to know if their loved one was alive and unharmed. In most cases, families flocked to the scene of the crisis in hopes for answers. It was important for one person a part of the incident management team to take the lead to update the families with the vital information (Useem, Jordan, & Koljatic, 2011).

During the rescue of the Chilean miners, Laurence Goldborne assumed the role of Chile’s minister of mining. He was responsible for the rescue process as well as providing updates to the family. When a cave-in blocked any direct access to the miners during the initial rescue, Goldborne decided he immediately needed to communicate with the family. He used a megaphone to transmit the new information to the families. He began by preparing the families with the bad news. He remembered watching two daughters sobbing. It was at that moment he...