Activity factsheets
No.4
Public information
What is it?
Public information aims to address a wide audience with life-saving messages on arms threats through mass media such as TV, radio, social media, magazines, newspapers and phones (SMS campaign). It is one of the ways to implement your IEC planning by tailoring safety messages to maximize their impact.
Here are some examples:
• In case of bombing/shelling: quick and massive distribution of awareness materials (leaflets, flyers, stickers);
• In case of mass IDP/refugees displacement: set up billboards in strategic places;
• In case of sporadic attacks with specific explosive remnants (cluster munitions, IEDs): emergency SMS campaign with short life-saving messages;
• Others: spreading awareness to specific at-risk groups (age groups, risk takers): using social media, radio spots, broadcasting of TV spots.
TARGET
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General public, all affected population (threatened by arms),
specific at-risk groups (age groups, IDPs, refugees, risks takers…)
What FOR?
Public information is developed to quickly reach a wide audience by using mass media, either to reach inaccessible areas or to strengthen Risk Education activities.
How?
The messages and media should already be identified in your IEC planning.
A quick study of successful previous mass media campaigns (famous comic books, characters, and advertising campaigns in the country, etc.) as well as currently available and accessible media (in case phone network is interrupted for instance) will help define the best methods and choose the media. Selection of service providers must be done according to logistic procedures. Depending on the timeframe and contexts, involve relevant and key stakeholders (beneficiaries, users, designers, authorities) to design and develop your public campaign with a participatory approach and make sure to follow validation process.
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Lesson learned
Projects’ teams have often rushed through this activity and failed: both quality and quantity of material produced is not appropriate, not approved by the competent authority, etc. Remember to provide community focal points, HI partners and authorities with a contingency stock to react quickly in case of emergency. Always keep in mind all logistic and financial aspects to stay in line with allocated budget – but do include enough financial provision in project proposals for IEC material production!
Process
Based on IEC planning, design and produce appropriate public information materials
Required documents
- IEC material production workshop’s report (including field tests results)
- Public information produced material/ prototype Public Information produced material/ prototype
Validation
Internal: Technical Advisors assess participatory approach process, quality of workshops’ outputs and final material example/prototype
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning references
TIPS
Remote Activity
Involve partners and affected communities in workshops to design appropriate public information materials and field test it!
Use appropriate media such as Skype, WhatsApp, etc.
Plan a contingency stock of materials for partners or Community Focal Points (CFP) working in remote settings.
Inclusion
Make sure the messages do not convey stereotypes or discrimination.
Try as much as possible to let the voice of affected people be heard.
Think of accessible and alternative formats of communication (gender, age, literacy, language and disability-sensitive).
Synergies
VA: Public information materials should be disability inclusive: liaise with Inclusive Education and PSS teams.
Basic needs: Public information products can be set up or distributed on NFI/food distribution sites (in IDPs/refugees camps, public places).
Safety messages can be printed on distribution bags or materials (buckets, shelters sheets, etc.).
EOD: Liaise with EOD team to get accurate pictures and information regarding Mines, ERW, IEDs and SALW existing threats.
Advocacy: Share testimony production with advocacy.
Photo credits
- Handicap International 2016
