Editing and filtering: A great deal of loss of information occurs as a message moves from senior
management to lower levels. Each person through whom it passes edits it, filters it, and simplifies it
for the understanding and needs of the next person who is to receive it. Loss or distortion of
information as it moves downward may be caused by misinterpretation, lack of understanding, and
neglect of messages by some of the members of the organisation.
Loss of information also occurs as messages move from subordinates to higher levels of authority.
Messages are filtered at every level. There may be deliberate suppression of information out of self-interest and jealousy; a supervisor may suppress or change a good suggestion from a subordinate so
as to take the credit personally; a senior officer may prevent information about discontent in the
department from reaching the manager because it reflects on his/her human relations skills.