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Social media a key comms tool as industry reacts to Paris attacks

Police and government agencies have used social media as a key communications tool in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Paris, as industry figures react to the events that have left more than 120 people dead in the French capital.

by John Harrington / November 14, 2015

France’s justice ministry and its national police force have been issuing advice and information regularly via social media since the attacks on Friday night.

[#ParisAttack] Looking for family members or friends? Call 0800 40 60 05 (from France) or your embassy
— Police Nationale (@PNationale) November 14, 2015

The justice ministry is taking a lead on communications in the aftermath of the events. Justice minister Christiane Taubira tweeted on Saturday afternoon: "Since last night I mobilised all the departments of the Ministry of Justice on the information and support task."

.@ChTaubira "Dès hier soir j’ai mobilisé l’ensemble des services du ministère de la Justice sur la tâche d’information et d’accompagnement."
— Ministère Justice (@justice_gouv) November 14, 2015

More than 120 people were killed in three separate gun attacks at restaurants and bars in Paris, at the Bataclan concert venue, and in an apparent suicide bombing during a France versus Germany football game at the Stade de France.

French President Francois Hollande, who on Saturday said he believed IS militants were responsible for the attacks and has declared a state of emergency, also used Twitter to send a message of defiance. The tweet below reads: "Facing terror, there is a nation that knows how to defend, able to mobilise its forces and, once again, will defeat the terrorists."

Face à l'effroi, il y a une Nation qui sait se défendre, sait mobiliser ses forces et, une fois encore, saura vaincre les terroristes.
— François Hollande (@fhollande) November 13, 2015

Several world leaders offered their support and condolences:

I have spoken to Francois Hollande. I expressed our solidarity with France and said we will do whatever we can to help.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) November 14, 2015

Watch the full statement from @POTUS on the attacks in Paris. https://t.co/yQThOvrdxZ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 13, 2015

On Saturday, IS showed its media operation is continuing after it released a statement claiming responsibility for the attacks.

The statement called Paris "the capital of prostitution and vice" and the "lead carrier of the cross in Europe". In reference to the Stade de France bomb, IS labelled France and Germany "crusader nations". It also spoke about "hundreds of pagans gathered for a concert of prostitution and vice" in reference to the Bataclan concert.

Meanwhile, a number of commentators urged brands to turn off their automatic tweets as news of the attacks emerged:

Brands, turn off your auto tweets right now https://t.co/ksdLhzvK63
— Drew Benvie (@drewb) November 13, 2015

Paddy Power issued an apology about the content of one timed tweet, later deleted, which used French in a humorous way to publicise a horserace:

@paddypower there's nothing wrong in itself but the timing... When you read French this morning you think one thing pic.twitter.com/C3dTZn2J5W
— Eel Knack Mole (@neilmccole) November 14, 2015

Apologies for any offence caused by a push message sent today. This was scheduled before we knew about the tragic events in Paris.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 14, 2015

Our thoughts are of course with the people of France and those affected by this tragedy.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 14, 2015

Industry figures and organisations, particularly those with strong links to Paris, have reacted in droves to the attacks.

We are praying for the safety of all @Omnicom employees & family members affected by the events unfolding in #Paris. pic.twitter.com/UYUtacT0ig
— Omnicom Group (@Omnicom) November 14, 2015