لم تأت فكرة المتحدث الرسمي، أو الناطق الإعلامي من فراغ، فالدولة تعي جيّداً أن الجهات الرسمية والوزارات الخدمية تضطلع بأدوار تنموية، وتباشر أعمالاً وتنفذ مشاريع، وكل من يعمل عُرضة للقصور والنقص والملاحظات، والصمت على خطأ عارض مدعاة لإدانة دور المتحدث باسم هذه الجهة أو تلك.
وفي زمن التواصل الاجتماعي، يمكن رصد ما لا يتوقعه مسؤول، من خلل طارئ، أو عجز غير مقصود، ما يستثير ردود أفعال غير مسؤولة، وتتصاعد حدة الانتقادات؛ في ظل غياب الناطق باسم الجهة المَلومة، باعتباره حلقة الوصل بينها وبين الإعلام والمجتمع.
وكنا وما زلنا نفخر بدور المتحدث المُتفاعل، إلا أن التحوّل الرقمي والتقني دفع الوزارات والمؤسسات كافة لتدشين حسابات على منصات التواصل، وانحصر دور بعض المتحدثين في ظهورهم على شاشات الفضائيات والمنصات الاجتماعية، وربما يهمل البعض منهم رسالة الصحفي لأيام وأسابيع، ثم يطلب إرسالها على البريد الإلكتروني، بما يشبه سياسة التطفيش.
وبما أن مشروع الرؤية قائم على نزاهة وشفافية ومصداقية، فالمُؤمّل تعزيز الظهور الاحترافي للمتحدث الرسمي، والخروج من دائرة الصمت؛ لأن غياب المعلومات مدعاة للتخبط، أو التجاوزات، ومن حق المواطن أن تكون الصورة واضحة مع أي خبر يتم نشره أو بثّه؛ فالجمهور المستهدف أوعى مما نتصوّر، وربما جنح لمصادر مشبوهة ليأخذ عنها مضامين ربما تكون سامّة.
ومتى وعت المؤسسات أن المتحدّث وجهها الحضاري، فالواجب منحه فرصة التصريح، دون تردد، وإبراز الحقائق، وإيصال رسالة الجهة للمستفيدة، ولو كانت اعتذاراً، فذلك لا يعيب الكيانات ولا يُنقص من قدرها. وما حسن اختيار المتحدث الرسمي، وتزويده بالمعلومات، وإشعاره بالثقة، وإلزامه بالتعاون مع الصحفيين كافة إلا دليل مواكبة المرحلة، وحرص الإدارات والوزارات على سمعتها، فالمتحدث الخائف والضعيف لا يستطيع أن يقول ما يفيد الناس، وبذا يغدو دوره سلبياً.
المتحدث الصامت والمُتفاعل
12 أغسطس 2025 - 15:41
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آخر تحديث 12 أغسطس 2025 - 15:41
تابع قناة عكاظ على الواتساب
رأي عكاظ
The idea of a spokesperson or media representative did not come from nowhere; the state is well aware that official bodies and service ministries play developmental roles, undertake tasks, and implement projects. Anyone who works is susceptible to shortcomings, deficiencies, and observations, and silence in the face of a temporary error is grounds for condemning the role of the spokesperson for this or that entity.
In the age of social media, unexpected issues or unintended failures can be observed by officials, which provoke irresponsible reactions and escalate criticism; especially in the absence of a spokesperson from the blamed entity, who serves as the link between it and the media and society.
We have always taken pride in the role of the interactive spokesperson, yet digital and technological transformation has pushed all ministries and institutions to launch accounts on social media platforms. The role of some spokespersons has become limited to their appearances on satellite screens and social media platforms, and some may neglect journalists' messages for days or weeks, only to then request that they be sent via email, resembling a policy of alienation.
Since the vision project is based on integrity, transparency, and credibility, it is hoped that the professional appearance of the official spokesperson will be enhanced, moving away from the circle of silence; because the absence of information leads to confusion or violations. Citizens have the right to have a clear picture with any news that is published or broadcast; the target audience is more aware than we imagine, and they may turn to dubious sources to obtain content that could be harmful.
When institutions realize that the spokesperson is their civilizational face, it is their duty to give them the opportunity to make statements without hesitation, to highlight the facts, and to convey the entity's message to the beneficiaries, even if it is an apology; this does not diminish the entities nor reduce their stature. The proper selection of the official spokesperson, providing them with information, instilling confidence in them, and requiring their cooperation with all journalists is a clear indication of keeping pace with the times and the administrations' and ministries' concern for their reputation. A fearful and weak spokesperson cannot say what benefits the people, thus rendering their role negative.
In the age of social media, unexpected issues or unintended failures can be observed by officials, which provoke irresponsible reactions and escalate criticism; especially in the absence of a spokesperson from the blamed entity, who serves as the link between it and the media and society.
We have always taken pride in the role of the interactive spokesperson, yet digital and technological transformation has pushed all ministries and institutions to launch accounts on social media platforms. The role of some spokespersons has become limited to their appearances on satellite screens and social media platforms, and some may neglect journalists' messages for days or weeks, only to then request that they be sent via email, resembling a policy of alienation.
Since the vision project is based on integrity, transparency, and credibility, it is hoped that the professional appearance of the official spokesperson will be enhanced, moving away from the circle of silence; because the absence of information leads to confusion or violations. Citizens have the right to have a clear picture with any news that is published or broadcast; the target audience is more aware than we imagine, and they may turn to dubious sources to obtain content that could be harmful.
When institutions realize that the spokesperson is their civilizational face, it is their duty to give them the opportunity to make statements without hesitation, to highlight the facts, and to convey the entity's message to the beneficiaries, even if it is an apology; this does not diminish the entities nor reduce their stature. The proper selection of the official spokesperson, providing them with information, instilling confidence in them, and requiring their cooperation with all journalists is a clear indication of keeping pace with the times and the administrations' and ministries' concern for their reputation. A fearful and weak spokesperson cannot say what benefits the people, thus rendering their role negative.
