Knowing Your Audience Paper/Communication Release

Name:

Institution:

Lecturer:

Course:

Date:

Knowing Your Audience Paper/Communication Release

Part 1: Press release directed to the families of the trapped miners.

The most appropriate channel for conveying this message is face to face.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Name and Title

Compania Minera San Esteban Primera

Phone:

Web site:

Email:

Workers Trapped After Chilean Copper Mine Collapse

San Jose, Chile-March 16, 2012. It is with deep regret that we announce that some of our workers have been trapped in San Jose copper mine after it collapsed. The actual number of trapped workers is yet to be verified but preliminary investigations suggest that the number is around thirty. We request the affected families to be calm as the rescue operations commence.

The cause of the collapse is not yet known. Nevertheless, according to Terence Foreback, the Mexico state mine inspector, suggests that the most probable cause is that the roof of the mine collapsed leading to the miners being trapped. He further attributed two factors that may lead to the collapse of the mine. The tunnels must be supported, and any weak support may result to the roof crumbling. Another reason might be caused by the size of the tunnels. The larger the tunnel the more susceptible it is to collapse (Franklin, 2011).

Concerning rescue operations, the matter has been turned into a national disaster hence the government of Chile is responsible for coordinating this operation. This has the inherent advantage in that better and more sophisticated equipment and technical expertise can be sourced easily and put to use. As, of yesterday the Chilean president, Sebastian Pinera, had requested the international community to intervene and salvage the situation by offering any technical assistance and knowledge necessary for this rescue operation. He further sought advice from NASA on how to motivate the trapped miners during this period (Franklin, 2011). On a positive note, phone contact has been established between the rescuers and the trapped miners hence the rescuers will begin drilling boreholes to locate them.

In these times of calamity, the company wishes to reemphasis its commitment to offer support to the families of the trapped men. In relation to this, the company has set up a support program to assist the affected families in coping with disaster (Snedaker, 2007). In addition, this support program will provide an avenue for official communication between the company and the families. For any clarification and inquiry on the above matters, kindly feel free to telephone or email the above listed addresses.

# # #

Part 2: Internal news release to employees in the mining company

The most appropriate channel for conveying the message is through a company memo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Name and Title

Compania Minera San Esteban Primera

Phone:

Web site:

Email:

Fellow Workers Trapped After San Jose Copper Mine Collapsed

San Jose, Chile-March 16, 2012. It is with deep regret and remorse that we announce that some of our workers have been trapped in San Jose copper mine after it collapsed. The actual number of trapped workers is yet to be verified but preliminary investigations suggest that the number is around thirty. The company wishes to call for calmness during this period of uncertainty.

The root cause of the accident is not yet known, nevertheless, according to Terence Foreback, the Mexico state mine inspector, he postulates that the roof might have fallen causing the passage routes to block. The roof might drop due to weak tunnel supports and when the tunnel is too big.

The company requests all personnel to shift their strengths and skills in assisting the rescue committee carry out their task. The employees ought to work with this team by providing any relevant information on the nature of the mines. This will play a vital role in ensuring that the rescue team is conversant with the workings and nature of the mines.

The company recognizes the vital contribution that company employees have to play in ensuring the survival of their colleagues. The employees can provide positive communications, vital information and assist the rescuers in planning for the mission. In addition, the employees can motivate their fellow colleagues to be emotionally and mentally strong to endure the experience. The company also acknowledges the emotional support network they provide for the families affected (Snedaker, 2007).

In order to ensure that the company fronts one story to the rest of the world, no employee is allowed to make any comments on behalf of the company without any legal consent from the company secretary (Tannen, 2011). Any information regarding this tragedy will be communicated through the official company communication channels. Any individual working contrally to this will be liable for disciplinary ship.

In these times of calamity, the company wishes all its members to cooperate with each other and play their individual roles effectively to ensure prosperity. Because of the trauma caused by recent events the company has decided to stop its company operations until the problem is tackled. To prevent future disasters all the other mines will be evaluated by a safety inspector and recommendations implemented prior to reopening. For any clarification and inquiry on the above matters, kindly feel free to telephone or email the above listed addresses.

References

Franklin, J. (2011). 33 men: Inside the miraculous survival and dramatic rescue of the Chilean miners. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

Snedaker, S. (2007). Business continuity and disaster recovery planning for it professionals. Amsterdam: Elsevier

Tannen, D., & Recorded Books, LLC. (2011). Communication matters. Prince Frederick, MD: Recorded Books.