This week Malaysia Airlines sent a text message to the loved ones of passengers on the lost Flight 370. TV comedians and pundits suggested that sending a text message was insensitive in such painful circumstances.
What do you think? Was texting insensitive?
Here is the message Malaysia Airlines sent, according to Business Insider:
Malaysia Airlines deeply regrets that we have to assume beyond any reasonable doubt that MH370 has been lost and that none of those on board survived. As you will hear in the next hours from Malaysia’s Prime Minister, we must now accept all evidence suggests the plane went down in the Southern Indian Ocean.
A Chinese version of the message followed the English one.
Considering the situation, the timing, and the wording of the airline’s message, I support Malaysia Airlines’ decision. The only thing I might have done differently, depending on their other communications to this audience, is to add another line to the text, something like this: “We extend our sincere condolences to you on your profound loss.”
Texting is appropriate for these reasons:
- Texting was only one way the airline was using to reach people. It was also contacting them by telephone and even in person at the Beijing airport to share this news.
- It was essential to reach people directly, before they heard the prime minister’s announcement.
- Because there were 239 people aboard the plane, the airline had to communicate with many people quickly.
- The airline had undoubtedly already been in contact by text with these family members and friends.
- The individuals had given the airline permission to text them.
The airline defended its action, in part with these statements, again from Business Insider (bolding is apparently the airline’s choice):
Respect for the families is essential at this difficult time. And it is in that spirit that we informed the majority of the families in advance of the Prime Minister’s statement in person and by telephone. SMSs were used only as an additional means of communicating with the families. Those families have been at the heart of every action the company has taken since the flight disappeared on 8th March and they will continue to be so.
To learn more about communicating bad news, please read my book, Business Writing With Heart: How to Build Great Work Relationships One Message at a Time, which includes the chapter “Share Bad News Without Fostering Bad Feelings.”
Of course, the loved ones of those on board Flight 370 will have many bad feelings, including sadness, loss, deep pain, and the anxiety of not knowing what happened. I hold them in my thoughts and prayers.
Lynn
