How Informal Communication Spreads Distorted Information

Informal communication does not follow any officially recognized rule, regulation, and system.

It is independent of management control. Informal communication takes place in the family, club, religious place, market and in the playground.

It may take the shape of conversation or gossip depending on the personal & social relationship of the parties concerned.

Since informal communication follows no rule, direction or formality, it can quickly transmit any message in various directions.

In doing so, it spreads rumor, untrue, distorted and exaggerated messages which hamper organizational harmony and cohesion.

The followings are the prime reasons for spreading rumor, untrue and distorted message through an informal communication channel.

Inattention

Inattention of the receiver causes distortion and filtering of information.

Therefore, whenever the receiver transmits the received message to others, he transmits the distorted message.

Admixtures own opinion

Sometimes without getting the right point of a message, the receiver transmits it to others admixtures it with own thoughts and opinions, in this way, the message becomes distorted and untrue.

Complexity of message

Informal communication also spreads rumor if the message is transmitted through complex and unfamiliar channels.

The absence of predetermined rules and regulations

Informal communication channels do not follow any set rule or predetermined system.

For this reason, both sender and receiver engage in exchanging information without any mental preparation that leads to gossiping and creates rumors.

Exaggerating the information

In some cases, real facts are amplified with false information to draw the attention of others. Such exaggeration of information hides the reality and spreads rumor and untrue.

Conflict

The conflict between sender and receiver is also responsible for communicating untrue information through informal channels.

Due to conflict, the parties concerned rely on the informal communication channel to transmit false and inaccurate information against each other that deteriorates the relationship.

Using weak and inappropriate media

As compared to formal channels, informal channels of communication are weak and inappropriate that also distorts information.

The tendency to resist changes

Sometimes the employees do not like changes in their present working procedures. In this situation, they spread the rumor, untrue and false news to prevent the coming changes.

Loss by transmission

In the process of informal communication, a series of transmission of information occurs. In this situation, the message loses es its accuracy. This is also liable to filtering and distortion of information.

The informal pattern of communication is too difficult and risky. For enjoying its utilities, utmost care must be taken by both sender and receiver.