Speak no evil: The promotional heritage of nuclear risk communication
Louis Gwin addresses the critically important problem of nuclear risk communication. His research suggests that while an orderly evacuation of the population actually at risk may be workable in theory, the more likely occurrence is widespread panic and gridlock. Gwin's research suggests that existing programs of nuclear risk communication actually make this problem worse. He found that those who had received no prior information on what to do in an emergency were significantly more likely to do the right thing (e.g., await further instructions) than those who had received instructions. With utilities themselves retaining the ultimate responsibility for developing communication programs, it is not surprising that they have been reluctant; to issue instructions on what to do in the event of a nuclear accident is to acknowledge that such accidents can and do occur. Gwin makes no attempt to protray the nuclear industry as purposefully dishonest or evil. The bottom line is that programs that combine the communication of emergency plans with a latent desire to reassure the public fail in their primary purpose. As Gwin observes the key issue is one of trust. People see such communications as little more than propaganda put out by industry for its own purposes and do not trust the utilities to tell them what to do in the event of an accident. It will be every man for himself, with potentially disastrous consequences. How do we restore trust in nuclear risk communications Gwin offers a number of valuable suggestions such as placing communication responsibility in state or local agencies or in FEMA, and to ensure some form of public participation in the development and communication of emergency plans. This is an excellent study of an important and timely subject. It provides a much needed picture of just how badly our plans are likely to work in the next nuclear emergency. Gwin's warning should be heeded by policymakers now, while there is still time.
- OSTI ID:
- 6307526
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: From review by Michael T. Hayes, Colgate Univ., in Government Information Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 2 (1993)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
EMERGENCY PLANS
COMMUNICATIONS
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY
PUBLIC OPINION
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
EVACUATION
PUBLIC ANXIETY
PUBLIC INFORMATION
PUBLIC RELATIONS
ACCIDENTS
INDUSTRY
INFORMATION
560180* - Radiation Protection Procedures- (1992-)
220900 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
290202 - Energy Planning & Policy- Sociology- (1992-)