The International Crisis Group and the manufacturing and communicating of crises

Abstract

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has the motto 'working to prevent conflict worldwide'. As an organisation the ICG occupies a very specific niche role, which is related to crises of a political nature, specifically armed conflict. While the ICG employs a negative understanding of crisis, the academic definition of what a crisis may constitute is broader, as it can actually represent an opportunity for some actors. This article, written from a communication studies perspective, seeks to address how crises are manufactured in ICG texts. It argues that the way in which crisis events are viewed and reacted to depends on the level of information and 'knowledge' that is produced and circulating about them. The article tackles the issue of the strategic level of the ICG in terms of its means and mechanisms of attempting to project influence. It explores the different ploys and strategies used to influence policy makers, especially its communication strategy, the different values and ethics that are highlighted, and the 'causes' that are promoted.

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