Media Reporting of Nuclear Emergencies: The Effects of Transparent Communication in a Minor Nuclear Event

Abstract

IN 2008, a nuclear event occurred at Krško nuclear power plant in Slovenia. Even though it was classified as level 0 on International Nuclear Event Scale, the transparency policy of the Slovenian nuclear safety authorities prompted it to notify the international community. This was the first time that the European Community Urgent Radiological Information Exchange (ECURIE) notification system was used outside the exercise framework.The event was reported in all major European. In this contribution, we report on a content analysis of media articles related to this event.The main research question was if a nuclear emergency generates significant media coverage, even in the case of a minor event and a transparent communication policy. The analysis included more than 200 articles from printed and spoken media in Slovenia and other countries. The analysis revealed a high-intensity media coverage, emotional reactions and heated political discussion.The main media sources in countries with open political discussions on nuclear energy end up being the politicians, rather than resident experts.

Media coverage and government policy of nuclear power in the People's Republic of China

“…The results indicate that these articles focused most heavily on conflict, responsibility, and economic interest (Lazic, 2013). Lastly, Perko et al (2012) conducted a content analysis of over 200 articles published in spoken and printed media in Slovenia and other countries to examine the media coverage of a nuclear event in Slovenia. The primary research question was whether a nuclear event attracts high media attention, even in the circumstance of a minor event and a transparent communication policy.…”

“…It is noteworthy that the subtheme 'safety' was most prevalent in 2011 in both newspapers, which may be attributed to the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. Previous studies have demonstrated that even minor nuclear incidents result in significant media attention (Perko et al, 2012). Indeed, the nuclear incident in Japan drew media attention immediately and prompted wide coverage in Chinese newspapers (Thomson, 2011).…”

“…The primary research question was whether a nuclear event attracts high media attention, even in the circumstance of a minor event and a transparent communication policy. The findings reveal that even a minor nuclear event will attract a large amount of media coverage and result in heated political debates (Perko et al, 2012).…”

News Analysis of the Fukushima Accident: Lack of Information Disclosure, Radiation Fears and Accountability Issues

“…The high media interest for the Fukushima accident does not come as a surprise. Previous research has demonstrated that even nuclear events which are rated as zero on the INES generate significant media attention (Perko et al 2012).…”

How did media present the radiation risks after the Fukushima accident: a content analysis of newspapers in Europe

“…Research on media reporting about nuclear emergencies proves that even without radiological consequences, those events are considered newsworthy. For instance, the event at Krško nuclear power plant in Slovenia (2008) was classified as level 0 on International Nuclear Event Scale, however, it was reported in all major European media (Perko et al, 2012a). Another aspect of media effect on communication to public is that journalists work under constant pressure of deadlines, competition with other reporters (Cottle and Ashton, 1999, Scott, 2005, Slovic, 1986) and expectations of little margin for errors.…”