Following the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023 and subsequent outpouring of statements from celebrities and colleges to city councils, writer and podcaster Sam Adler-Bell explored the concept of “statementese.”
Adler-Bell noted the rise of statements — on global issues ranging from racism to war in the Ukraine — has grown with the rise of social media and the desire to have an impact on situations beyond one’s control.
He said issuing statements and responding to them is a means of participating in a “quarantined space in which we can war over words [while] isolated from the real stakes of what’s happening.”
Why, then, are statements such a consistent response to global events?
Meeting expectations
As Adler-Bell noted, statements in response to tragic or life-altering events have become the norm. And so they are expected. When a celebrity is exposed as a serial rapist, we expect widespread condemnation. If an agency doesn’t issue a statement, the backlash may be “silence speaks volumes” with the assumption that those who don’t produce statements of rebuke are complicit in the bad behavior.
What do other communicators say?
At a local gathering of Public Information Officers (PIO) representing government, education, healthcare, and the private sector, the group considered Adler-Bell’s take. Many in the group develop and distribute statements as standard practice. But all in the room agreed: their agencies should “stay in their lane” and not join any particular chorus of condemnation — or even support — simply for the sake of being on the record.
Locally, college PIOs say students expect their campus leaders to speak out on global topics; however, PIOs for other agencies say they would only issue statements on issues directly related to their area of expertise.
A police department PIO said of course they would speak out against the senseless brutality that claimed the life of George Floyd in 2020. But they wouldn’t weigh in on war in the Middle East.
So, should you issue a statement?
Is it your agency’s field of expertise? Are you directly impacted or engaged? If not, consider the risks or consequences of straying from your lane. As Adler-Bell notes, statements run of the risk of being too bland, satisfying no one. Is it worth joining the “quarantined space” to satisfy some but irritate others in your constituency?
Bottom line: is it strategic? Is it appropriate? Is it essential? And is it adding something of value to the discourse or, to borrow from Shakespeare’s MacBeth, is it merely “sound and fury signifying nothing”?
Amy Cloud is a media relations and PR professional with 20 years’ experience in healthcare, higher education, municipal government and emergency management. She is a FEMA-trained crisis communicator and certified Advanced Public Information Officer (APIO). Over her career she has been a national award-winning magazine writer and editor, TV reporter, newsroom supervisor and EMMY-nominated producer. Using her master’s degree in Adult Education, Amy has prepared trainings ranging from engaging the media and effective interviews to creating public service ambassadors. She is an Emergency Management PIO and a member of the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment.
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