Re: educating journalists

[kwan hoong ng <kng1@facstaff.wisc.edu>]

Could you send me some info on the Eagle Alliance?

Thanks

K H Ng


At 09:49 AM 11/7/96 -0600, you wrote:
>
>
>
>> 
>> > We are also neglecting the media (print, tv, movies, etc.).  They are
>> > undoubtably the primary and most significant driving force in public
>> > thought.  Perhaps more resources should be spent on educating journalists
>> > and providing easily accessible resources for factual information?
>> 
>> 
>> About 25 years ago the anti nuclear people did educate the journalists
>> by going to the journalist schools and spreading their propaganda.  We
>> see the result.  It would be a good thing for our side if we were to do
>> that.  But such work takes money.  Who will pay to educate the
>> journalists to our way of thinking?  Al Tschaeche xat@inel.gov
>> 
>> 
>
>That's a good point and one of my complaints about some professional 
>societies such as the American Nuclear Society.  As their budget becomes 
>tighter, the first item that seems disposable is the public education 
>and information funds.  In my opinion as budgets become tight, and 
>membership drops, these funds should be increased.  
>
>Some of the anti-nuclear organizations are much better organized than
>ANS, HPS, the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI).  When the nuclear waste 
>legislation was being debated in congress I got daily updates that 
>included legislator's phone numbers and talking points.  I got those 
>updates from Public Citizen not any of the previous mentioned "pro"
>groups.  When I sent a letter to NEI suggesting that an email list for
>similar updates from them would be useful, they said they had been 
>analyzing this idea and would get back to me.  In the mean time, they
>continued to send me out-dated information by ($3/piece) priority
>mail.  For the cost of one mailing they could purchase the equipment
>and pay for one year of internet access.
>
>I would encourage people to support groups such as the Eagle Alliance
>which have as their primary goal the promotion of nuclear science and
>education of the public.  I don't mean to imply that we should generate
>propaganda but that we should support serious education efforts.
>
>We should also be examing public outreach efforts such as the ANS Indy
>Car program.  Did this program make effective use of the funds, or would
>it have been better to spend the funds on workshops for journalists or
>seminars at schools of journalism?
>
>Another question:  Do HPS and ANS members feel that their views are 
>being adequately represented to legislators?
>
>Just a few thoughts,
>
>Michael Baker   ...   baker@groves.neep.wisc.edu
> 
>
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Kwan Hoong Ng, PhD
Department of Medical Physics
University of Wisconsin
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