Do not bank on us! Taking stock of transparency and accountability during crises in Uganda: the case of Crane Bank collapse

Ann MUGUNGA, Angella Napakol

    Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceedingConference proceedingpeer-review

    Abstract

    This study examined transparency and accountability as bridges to the interpretative and sense making capabilities of the public following the collapse of Crane Bank, Uganda. Content and critical discourse analysis methods were used to: investigate the nature of communication, the information shared; review honesty and responsibility in communication, and also analyze how accountability and transparency are constructed during crisis situations in the South. Assessment of 120 newspaper articles showed that both Crane Bank and Bank of Uganda mainly left it to the media to create and give meaning to stakeholders. Initial communication from both institutions was delayed and subsequent communication was made in a casual, vague and dismissive manner. Transparency and accountability either as information disclosure, responsibility or mutual understanding to translate into sense making for the audience were grossly undermined. Most of the shared information was not aligned to the interpretive capabilities of audiences; and there was no effort to create a good image or influence the audience. The research underscores the importance of transparency and accountability as essential for creating trust in leadership and management, in order to better manage crisis and risk situations.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings from the 9th annual International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference
    PublisherUniversity of Central Florida
    Pages24-26
    Number of pages3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 12 Jul 2019
    Event2019 International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference - Orlando, United States
    Duration: 11 Mar 201913 Mar 2019
    https://stars.library.ucf.edu/icrcc/2019/

    Conference

    Conference2019 International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference
    Abbreviated titleICRCC
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityOrlando
    Period11/03/1913/03/19
    OtherThese proceedings are a representative sample of the presentations given by professional practitioners and academic scholars at the 2019 International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference (ICRCC) held March 11-13, 2019. The ICRCC is an annual event that takes place the second week in March in beautiful sunny Orlando, Florida. The conference hosts are faculty and staff from the Nicholson School of Communication and Media. The goal of the ICRCC is to bring together prominent professional practitioners and academic scholars that work directly with crisis and risk communication on a daily basis. We define crisis and risk broadly to include, for example, natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, tsunamis), political crises, food safety issues, biosecurity, and health pandemics.
    Internet address

    User-Defined Keywords

    • Accountability
    • crisis
    • sense making
    • sense giving
    • transparency

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