Abstract
This study examines the Belgian press coverage related to the Fukushima nuclear accident and investigates the changes in the public opinion related to nuclear energy. Two research methodologies were applied. The first method conducted was a content analysis of two quality newspapers in Belgium, covering the first two months after the accident. The second method was a public opinion survey, based on more than 1000 personal interviews conducted in Belgium in the third month after the accident. The results show that the accident induced enormous media coverage in the first weeks after the accident with focus on many different topics; yet, attention decreased with time and became limited to the ‘future of nuclear energy’ and ‘safety and crisis management aspects’. The Chernobyl nuclear accident has been recognised as part of the collective memory, influencing media reporting and public opinion. As expected, the Fukushima nuclear accident has also induced some changes in the public opinion about nuclear energy.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 291-307 |
| Journal | International Journal of Nuclear Governance, Economy and Ecology |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - Apr 2013 |