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Communicating with the people - where the people are

Jens Kjeldsen argues that much of what is considered traditional communication – such as lectures and presentations – is invisible, because it takes place in forums that are not public to everyone.

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Photo: University of Bergen

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Simultaneously, Kjeldsen argues that much of the public communicational activity is invisible to ministers, media people and research councils, because it does not take place in the newspaper columns. The perception of what public communication consists of is therefore woefully narrow. The assumption of what constitutes the public informational space is unfortunately limiting. Public communication and dissemination is not just quotes in news articles, chronicles or participation in broadcast debates, but also includes visits to pensioners' associations, cooperation with organisations, consultancy work and development work. Not all public communication is public to everyone. But it is public communication just the same.

To read more of Kjeldsen's thoughts on public dissemination, click here.