The Standard Group (Nairobi, Kenya) has published an interesting read, Propoganda and rumors at work:

“Many managers share the same fears. However, most don’t worry too much about how little control they have over the flow of information within the organisation a significant factor in shaping morale. Should they be more paranoid about the nuggets being shared at the water-cooler or over the company intranet? Are they spending too much time guarding against external attacks to the company’s reputation or the reputation of its products, and too little guarding against more mortal internal blows.”

If done properly there’s a good case for extending discussion boards, wikis and blog tools to employees – perfect tools to open a centralized dialogue of many people.