Doyle, Kieran and Desta, Tedla
(2021)
An Analysis of Common Security and Defence Policy’s (CSDP)
Strategic Communication (StratCom).
Journal of Politics and Law, 14 (2).
ISSN 1913-9047
Abstract
Strategic communication (StratCom) is established as one of the key functions and interests of contemporary
organisations and governments. The usefulness and importance of strategic communication becomes even more
essential when the organisation is defence and security-focused or involved in crisis management. The objective
of this study was to assess the strategic communication practices, and inherent challenges of communicating
Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and present relevant reflections. A documentary analysis of the
relevant EU websites and social media pages of 16 CSDP missions and operations was conducted. This was
supplemented with eight key-informant interviews with Press and Public Information Officers (PPIOs) of CSDP
and EU strategists.
The research demonstrated that most CSDP missions and operations are present on most social media platforms
but they often garner very small number of likes, comments, shares, replies or interactions from their targeted
audiences. Features of an echo-chamber are also observed. The study also found that public affairs (information)
and public diplomacy were the two main forms of strategic communication that the CSDP utilises. CSDP’s
strategic communication also tends to take a one-way StratCom process. The challenges faced in terms of StratCom
by CSDP are not uniform; they are contextual ranging from resource, translation to mismatch of expectations. The
major challenge, however, emanates from the structural problems of CSDP or the EU itself that are beyond the
European External Action Service (EEAS) or the relevant Press and Public Information Offices (PPIOs). The study
recommendations include quicker EU level political and policy compromise on CSDP, training and resource
improvements for StratCom, ‘storytelling and use of real people’, highlighting gender, rights and local ownership,
increasing the link with the international media and regular and appropriate self-appraisals.
Item Type: |
Article
|
Keywords: |
strategic communication; policy; Europe; politics; development; |
Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Institutes > Edward M Kennedy Institute |
Item ID: |
16024 |
Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.5539/jpl.v14n2p56 |
Depositing User: |
Kennedy Institute
|
Date Deposited: |
31 May 2022 12:21 |
Journal or Publication Title: |
Journal of Politics and Law |
Publisher: |
Canadian Center of Science and Education (CCSE) |
Refereed: |
Yes |
URI: |
|
Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
Repository Staff Only(login required)
|
Item control page |
Downloads per month over past year
Origin of downloads