Two-way Communication

Two-way communication - uses communication to negotiate with the public, resolve conflict, and promote mutual understanding and respect between the organization and its public(s).

Two-Way Communication in Public Relations

There are different types of two-way communication in public relations; symmetric and asymmetric.

Two-way asymmetr

• Employs social science methods to develop more:
• Generally focuses on achieving short-term attitude change;
• Incorporates lots of feedback from target audiences and publics;
• Is used by an organization primarily interested in having its publics come around to its way of thinking rather changing the organization, its policies, or its views.

Two-way symmetric public relations ...

• Relies on honest and open two-way communication and mutual give-and-take rather than one-way persuasion;
• Focuses on mutual respect and efforts to achieve mutual understanding;
• Emphasizes negotiation and a willingness to adapt and make compromises;
• Requires organizations engaging in public relations to be willing to make significant adjustments in how they operate in order to accommodate their publics;
• Seems to be used more by non-profit organizations, government agencies, and heavily regulated businesses such as public utilities than by competitive, profit-driven companies.

Two-way communication is a form of transmission in which both parties involved transmit information. Common forms of two-way communication are:

• Amateur, CB or FRS radio contacts.
• Chatrooms and Instant Messaging.
• Computer networks. See back-channel.
• In-person communication.
• Telephone conversations.

Two-way communication is in contrast to broadcasting.