A SENSEE PREEDENTS
Last Monday, the Iberian Peninsula witnessed a dull light that has left everyone perplexed. At a time when society had already experienced the impact of a global pandemic, it seemed that little could be surprised. However, the event was so shocking that it shook our daily routine.
The government reaction: an inexplicable silence
The most puzzling of this incident was not only the lack of energy, but also the reaction of our leaders. Both those responsible for Catalonia and those in Spain took excessively to appear before the media, creating a communicative gap that left the citizenry uninformed. The management of the crisis by the government of Salvador Illa seemed to be subordinate to the command of Moncloa, relegating Catalonia to a secondary role.
A new political dynamic
The relationship between Catalonia and the central government has changed radically. With the PSOE at the helm, political discourse has been completely revolved, with Island insisting on the importance of Catalonia as a driver of the Spanish economy. A message that had been forgotten in the last years of pro -independence governments.
Communicative management: a passive approach
The message that was taken from Palau was clear: ‘Don’t worry, Madrid is taking care of everything.’ This passive attitude contrasts with the active response that was given during other crises, such as the attacks in Barcelona or the management of the Covid. At that time, the Generalitat assumed a leadership role that now seems to have disappeared.
The importance of proactive communication
In a crisis, perception can be as powerful as reality itself. The lack of immediate information during the shutdown caused concern among the population, which needed to feel that there were authorities in office. The first appearance of the Minister of the Interior, Núria Parlon, arrived too late, leaving the citizens without orientation at a critical moment.
Critics of Information Management
The media professionals covering emergencies expressed their frustration in the face of lack of information. The appearances were limited and often did not allow questions. In addition, the governing departments passed responsibility to each other, complicating the updating of data and leaving many citizens without answers.
An uncertain future
What was a ‘black swan’, an unforeseen communication crisis, has exposed the weaknesses in the management of information in both Catalonia and Moncloa. The situation demands a deep reflection on how our leaders can improve their communication in the future to prevent incidents like this to occur again.