Case Study: Confronting Media and other Bias against Uranium Exploration and Mining, Nuclear Power, and Associated Environmental Issues
Over the past years, I2M Associates personnel and associates noticed an increase in the number of inaccurate, misleading, and deceptive articles that were produced by various types of media on the subject of nuclear power, uranium exploration and mining, and other associated environmental issues. So did other professionals on nuclear power matters, and especially on the natural gas industry regarding hydraulic fracturing. These reports came from the national media, film producers, national and local adversarial groups, local citizens groups and the attorneys who represent them. Because they all seem to exhibit many shortcomings in common, we began in 2007 to examine some of the egregious articles in detail. In early 2010, I2M Associates, LLC, our new company, agreed to continue to encourage I2M personnel to review and comment on articles selected through a process involving at least three and perhaps additional associates, and to publish our reviews as an educational contribution to the general public. It should be noted that the opinions expressed herein are the views of the authors, not necessarily those of I2M Associates, LLC. Objectives of I2M Reviews We will endeavor to point out how some public officials and media reporters employ certain words to make a particular impact on the reader, or who make statements that have no basis in fact or appropriate reference, or that combine and confuse subjects treated in the article in order to encourage the reader to draw certain conclusions that the general public might not otherwise make. We have also noticed a problem with paid activists and attorneys who are credentialed in one academic field but who claim knowledge in another technical field and attempt to influence others on subjects about which they know very little. Also, activists and associated attorneys who have been supported by wind and /or solar interests have been making “anti-nuclear” presentations to local groups without indicating who support their efforts. Reviews of the following articles have a number of themes in common. Many reporters/authors present only those portions of the truth that support the positions they wish to hold without presenting all of the relevant background.
Source: Confronting Media and other Bias against Uranium Exploration and Mining, Nuclear Power, and Associated Environmental Issues, Michael D. Campbell, Henry M. Wise, and M. David Campbell
