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Originally Posted by Dave_3
On the contrary, my experience and understanding on a subject means I can tell when the media get it wrong (and I mean wrong).
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Agreed. As I already said, this can often be the case. reading a newspaper report on a subject which you have some specialist knowledge of can often be an exasperating experience. I know that.
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Originally Posted by Dave_3
By default the media sway to the dramatic. That is different from saying that there is some underlying, insidious conspiracy to scare you.
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Well, sometimes they do, particularly in the United States. But no swaying is required when the roof of a nuclear plant blows off! That's dramatic enough already.
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Originally Posted by Dave_3
You also have to bear in mind that the media reporter is also a layman in these issues
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Not always, and many news organisations such as the BBC and The Guardian, in cases like these, tend to rely on (a) experienced, knowledgeable journalists, and/or (b) outside experts brought in specially to comment.
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Originally Posted by Dave_3
do you seriously take everything he takes as gospel when he may only have a limited grasp on the technical situation ?
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No, but neither do I automatically believe any self-appointed 'expert' on a forum.
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Originally Posted by Dave_3
As I stated above, the dis-information whether intentional or not that comes from the media (swaying to the dramatic) has no real agenda other than to engage viewers, and a natural and understanable emphasis for sensationalism.
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Again I say: no sensationalism required here.
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Originally Posted by Dave_3
BUT is is often used by politically motivated parties to persue their emotive goals. Purely praying on peoples' fears.
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Yes but surely this does not apply to the BBC, for example?
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Originally Posted by Dave_3
Giving the layman clear, accessable facts will limit the effects of those who wish to colour the issue. Give people the chance to make objective decisions.
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To be fair, it seems to me that you have an agenda, or at least a strong pro-nuclear bias.
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Originally Posted by Dave_3
It is a seismically active region.
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You can say that again.
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Originally Posted by Dave_3
I would wait until we get a final outcome before decrying the safety and risk of using nuclear power.....
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Agreed. But you seem(ed) to be doing the opposite, i.e. not waiting for the final outcome before declaring that this is not as bad as the media are making out, etc. And of course, who is to say when the 'final outcome' has been arrived at? That could take years.
Bottom line: this incident, irrespective of any media sensationalism, plays to people's fears about nuclear power, the main one being a suspicion that man cannot control events which may impact nuclear power stations to a catastrophic extent. We may say they are safe etc. but events like this give us pause. To think along these lines does not make one stupid or a media dupe or a rabid anti-nuclear zealot or anything like that - it's an entirely natural caution.