(Un)Clear Futures: The Media's Influence on Public Perception of Nuclear Energy

Abstract

This research investigates the role of media in shaping public opinion on nuclear energy and its implications for societal perceptions. Mainstream cinema has long associated the nuclear field with danger and tragedy, failing to showcase a balanced perspective. Furthermore, the media discourse has often neglected to highlight the peaceful applications of nuclear energy in various sectors such as health, agriculture, food, environment, and water resources, which directly contribute to Sustainable Development Goals. Nuclear energy, with its low greenhouse gas emissions and reliable power generation, can play a role in mitigating climate change. However, challenges such as radioactive waste management and the risk of accidents must be addressed to ensure its environmental impact is minimized. This research argues that media discourse has created a catastrophic framework involving nuclear energy that overlooks the dualism of its effects. Movies like The Day After (1983) and Threads (1984) have amplified the narrative of nuclear disasters as uncontrollable and catastrophic events, contributing to a predominantly negative public outlook. In contrast, productions such as Atomic Attack (1954) and Chernobyl 1986 (2021) have attempted to present similar occurrences in a more practical and informative manner. Oliver Stone's new movie, Nuclear Now (2022), presents a case for the beneficial potential of nuclear energy in addressing climate change and challenges the fear-based narrative surrounding it. By exploring the media's impact on public perception, this research aims to shed light on the need for a more balanced and informed discourse on nuclear energy, emphasizing its potential for sustainable development. Understanding the media's influence is crucial in fostering a more nuanced understanding of nuclear power and facilitating a shift in public perception towards its peaceful and sustainable applications.