Analysis of Mass Media Interactions on Coverage of Nuclear Accidents and their Causes

Abstract

In this study, the author analyzed media coverage of nuclear accidents, selecting instances of such accidents purported to be scoops and instances of the same type of accidents sometimes receiving heavy coverage and other times receiving light coverage. The author further identified interactions occurring between elements of the mass media in the news coverage observed. The efforts of the nuclear power industry to guide the coverage were shown to be effective in several cases. However, since interested parties cannot prevent interactions occurring between the elements of the mass media, self-verification on the part of mass media is necessary. An understanding of these circumstances provides a clue to bridge the gap of acknowledgment between those involved and the mass media.