Chernobyl coverage
How the US media treated the nuclear industry
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22948113 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sharon M Friedman (0000-0001-7742-1936, Department of Journalism and Communication at Lehigh University, University Center #29, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA), Carole M Gorney (Lehigh University), Brenda P Egolf (Lehigh University, University Center #29, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA) |
| Year | 1992 |
| Volume | 1 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 305-323 |
| Publication date | 1992-07-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Public Understanding of Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0963-6625 • E-ISSN: 1361-6609 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1088/0963-6625/1/3/005 |
| OpenAlex | W2338922168 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 10 |
| References cited | 6 |
This study attempted to uncover whether enough background information about nuclear power and the nuclear industries in the USA, USSR and Eastern and Western Europe had been included during the first two weeks of US coverage of the Chernobyl accident so that Americans would not be misled in their understanding of and attitudes toward nuclear power in general. It also sought to determine if reporters took advantage of the Chernobyl accident to attack nuclear technology or the nuclear industry in general. Coverage was analysed in five US newspapers and on the evening newscasts of the three major US television networks. Despite heavy coverage of the accident, no more than 25% of the coverage was devoted to information on safety records, history of accidents and current status of nuclear industries. Not enough information was provided to help the public's level of understanding of nuclear power or to put the Chernobyl accident in context. However, articles and newscasts generally balanced use of pro- and anti-nuclear statements, and did not include excessive amounts of fear-inducing and negative information.
Accident (philosophy) · Advertising · Business · Chernobyl Nuclear Accident · Context (archaeology) · Environmental protection · Geography · Media coverage · Media studies · Newspaper · Nuclear engineering · Nuclear industry · Nuclear physics · Nuclear power · Nuclear power industry · Nuclear power plant · Nuclear technology · Physics · Political science · Politics · Public information · Public opinion · Public relations · Sociology · Engineering · History · Law · Risk Perception and Management
Content Analysis
The credibility of information sources in West Germany after the Chernobyl disaster
Environmental Debates over Nuclear Energy
Between Fragmentation and Dialogue. Twitter Communities and Political Debate About the Swiss “Nuclear Withdrawal Initiative”
Science and Medical Coverage in the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post
Threat level green
Characteristics of the mass media's coverage of nuclear energy and its risk
Science Mass Communication
News Analysis of the Fukushima Accident
Discourse Ecology and Knowledge Niches
| Unique citing works | 10 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,29 |
| Citation span | 1992 - 2019 (28) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 10 |