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Chilean Mine Collapse

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Chilean Mine Collapse
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BCOM/275 Business Communication and Critical Thinking
Date
Instructor Name Abstract
August 5, 2010, a mine, near the Copiapó, Chile experienced a caved in, 33 miners more the 2000 became trapped with little to no hope of escape. Many gave up hope and feared there were no survivors, after 17 days a small bore hole made its way to the Miners location. As, the world watched with growing concern, and anticipation the miners sent word they were, alive (New York Times, 2012).
During a disaster of any scale; clear, concise, and accurate information is needed if there is any hope of having a positive outcome. Even more critical is knowing for whom the communication is intended; delivering the wrong information to the wrong person or group can have devastating results. This paper will look at the mine collapse as a study for the importance of knowing your audience and how it relates to the mine collapse and everyday life. Audience Communication is a two-way-street, with a sender and receiver, having the sender knowing the audience or who the receiver is, is the key when communicating. It is also important to point out that a sender must be mindful of all potential members of an audience not just those originally intended. At the time of the Chilean mine collapse, there were seven target groups in the audiences, each having specific needs, concerns and each interdependent on one another.
The Miners The 33 trapped miners had very specific needs and being continually told and reassured that everyone on the surface was doing everything possible to free them was the only appropriate message. The trapped miners relied on this information to keep spirits up, minds focused and attitudes positive. Without the positive communication from those on the surface the trapped miners risked mental breakdowns and possibility of being hurt

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