Re: educating journalists

[Bob Hearn <rah@america.net>]

Please note that the ANS operated an online bulletin board 15 years ago with
news, technical information and an array of other services that are handily
available on the net at present. Its demise was ascribed to funding
limitations, although this was not an entirely free service. I would be
pleased to see this idea resurrected on the net, as you suggest, as an
extension of the current site.

Please post contact info for the Eagle Alliance.

Regards,
Bob Hearn

At 09:49 AM 11/7/96 -0600, you wrote:
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>> 
>> > 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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