RE: Dateline NBC TMI story - A different evaluation

["Jacobus, John (OD/ORS)" <jacobusj@ors.od.nih.gov>]

I share your cynicism, but do remain optimistic.  What we need are good

"spin doctors" of our own.  Or are we sinking to the level of the

anti-nuclear groups?



-- John 



-----Original Message-----

From: Jerry Cohen [mailto:jjcohen@prodigy.net]

Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2001 7:54 PM

To: Jacobus, John (OD/ORS); Michael Stabin; radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

Subject: Re: Dateline NBC TMI story - A different evaluation





>"I agree that voicing sound scientific findings is the only way we will

> convince the public that radiation, even if dangerous, can be beneficial"





----- Original Message -----

From: Jacobus, John (OD/ORS) <jacobusj@ors.od.nih.gov>

To: Michael Stabin <michael.g.stabin@vanderbilt.edu>;

<radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>

Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2001 2:20 PM

Subject: RE: Dateline NBC TMI story - A different evaluation



It would be nice if this were true, but it surely seems naive.

The vast majority of the public is incapable of understanding

scientific concepts. Scientific findings, be they sound or otherwise,

have little, if any, effect on public opinion. It is the manner in

which the information is presented [spun] to the public that has

the impact. If their objective was to stimulate public fear

of nuclear power, NBC did a great job.