RE: Nuclear Expert aka Daniel Hirsch

[rick.jacobi@tllrwda.state.tx.us (rick jacobi)]

         Reply to:   RE: Nuclear Expert aka Daniel Hirsch
In response to Ron Lavera:

The media is usually looking for sound bites, either written or
electronic.  Whoever can say it best in one or two words, or in a memorable way,
will get quoted again and again.  What's worse, if AP, UPI, Reuters or some
other news service picks up the quote, it will be written again and again
without any analysis.  In time, that person will take on the aura of an
"expert" simply because his or her name appears again and again in the
media.  Examples include referring to Texas Tech which accepted research funds
from a waste disposal company as "Toxic Tech", or referring to a
commercial sewage sludge disposal site as the "pay toilet of west Texas".

My experience is that any person who is willing to talk about an issue
and to be available (even solicit) for interviews usually is the one who
will be quoted as the expert.  The anti's are more sophisticated than you
imagine.  They are always prowling the halls of the newspaper offices and tv
stations asking for interviews.  In contrast, scientists and engineers
will respond to a media call by referring the reporter to the corporate
public relations office, or worse, the lawyers.

Another approach is to publish a report warning of some impending danger
and then call a press conference to announce the results.  It doesn't have
to be scientifically valid, but it does have to play to the fears of the
public.  If it is too arcane or seemingly unrelated, it won't get much
press attention.

Another problem, (as it relates to dealing with the press) with
scientists and engineers, is that they don't hesitate to agree to the possibility
that they can be wrong.  Example:  "No, I can't be absolutely certain."  or
"Yes, there is a remote possibility that could happen."  The fringe
activists are absolute in their fears and beliefs.  They don't hesitate to say
your children will die, or that you will get cancer.

I have been on the front line dealing with this issue for 15 years and I
could go on for pages.  But, I'll stop here because I have been in trouble
for straying too far afield from the intent of Radsafe before.
--------------------

On 11/23/98, Lavera, Ron wrote:
I'm following these types of threads with some interest, especially
since attending the recent STAR conference in NY city.  

I'm not overly concerned with the idea that some details are incorrect,
although it may speak to some like of editorial rigor or a lack of
knowledge.  I'm more interested in what criteria members of the press
use to determine the "Expert" level of knowledge.  

This question is NOT asked "tongue in cheek".  I would like to hear the
opinion of some of the members of the press in this matter.  The answers
may help shed some light on why "we" have such a difficult time
communicating with the public.

Thank you for your time  and consideration.

Ron LaVera
lavera.r@nypa.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: Jacobus, John (OD) [mailto:JJacobus@exchange.nih.gov]
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 1998 10:52 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Nuclear Expert aka Daniel Hirsch


In all fairness, the article says that Daniel Hirsch is a nuclear
expert.  As
people have noted recently, e.g. the half-life of I-125 is not 6 months,
newspaper reports may not obtain the right information.  They may assume
since
he is involved with nuclear waste and other issues, and has read and
commented
on the report, that he is an expert.  He may be an expert anti-nuclear
activist,
but does he claim to an expert on nuclear reactor risk analysis. -- John

John Jacobus, Area Health Physicist
National Institutes of Health
Radiation Safety Branch, Building 21, Room 238
21 Wilson Drive, MSC 6780
Bethesda, MD  20892-6780
Phone:  301-496-5774
Fax:      301-496-3544
E-mail:   jjacobus@exchange.nih.gov (W)
            jenday@ix.netcom.com (H)


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