Communicating technology risk to the public: the year 2000 example

The paper looks at some of the components of risk communications, then examines examples of risk communications related to the “millennium bug”. Widely perceived as a problem for computer professionals, the year 2000 problem is really grounded in the different ways humans and computers process complex quantitative data. Year 2000 problems go far beyond converting computer programs to prevent mistakes in handling dates. Public perception of the problem has the potential to disrupt the banking and investments markets worldwide, which in turn will create huge social and economic problems for governments. Public awareness is being driven by the mass media, who show a preference for sensationalism. May professional communicators work directly for companies in the software and information technology businesses. The authors have a responsibility to take a proactive role in communicating to the public an accurate picture of the risks related to the millennium bug. This communication involves an appropriate balance between sound bites to gain attention and factual exposition to mold public opinion