Instrumentalizing Fukushima

Comparing Media Coverage of Fukushima in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland

Bibliographic Data

ID7971210
AuthorsHans Mathias Kepplinger (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz), Richard Lemke (0000-0002-8989-456X)
Year2016
Volume33
Issue3
Pages351-373
Publication date2016-07-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolitical Communication (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1058-4609 • E-ISSN: 1091-7675
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10584609.2015.1022240
OpenAlexW1565868334
LanguageEN
Citations received23
References cited32

According to the theory of instrumental actualization in mediated conflicts, the mass media tend to exaggerate events consistent with the editorial line. This theory was tested using press coverage in Germany, Switzerland, France, and the United Kingdom on the Japanese seaquake, the tsunami it caused, and the nuclear disaster of Fukushima. Within a period of seven weeks after the seaquake, the coverage in the four countries in 27 national newspapers and magazines on the three events was analyzed. As hypothesized from theory, German and Swiss media concentrated on Fukushima and stressed its relevance to domestic nuclear plants, whereas French and British media placed a greater emphasis on the tsunami and rarely related the nuclear catastrophe in Japan to domestic nuclear programs. In addition, there were remarkable correlations between the views of journalists and the bias of statements on nuclear energy presented in their news sections. Findings are discussed and related to the theory of public opinion and political decisions in liberal democracies

Economic history · German · Mass media · Media coverage · Media studies · Newspaper · Political science · Politics · Public opinion · Sociology · History · Law · Media Influence and Politics · Media Studies and Communication · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies

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