031126 BonfaCaramis iter

Analysis of the information on nuclear fusion in daily press : 

Analysis of the information on nuclear fusion in daily press Alessandro Bonfà, Gaetano Borrelli, Alessandro Caramis, Giuseppe Mazzitelli. Meeting on Nuclear Fusion, Frascati (Rm) 28-29 November 2003

Slide2: 

The aim of this research is to understand: “In what way is nuclear fusion topic treated in daily press?” - The period examined goes from 1989 to 2002. We have realized a research on 11 daily newspapers on nuclear fusion topic: 3 representative newspapers of Italian Press: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica and Il Sole 24 ore; 4 newspapers connected with 4 geographic areas: North East - Il Gazzettino; North West-La Stampa; Center - Il Messaggero; South – Il Mattino; 4 representative newspapers of International Press connected with 4 countries involved in fusion research: El Pais (Spain), Le Monde (France), Times (UK) and New York Times (USA).

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- Totally we have found 192 articles: 114 Italian (Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica, Il Sole 24 ore, Il Gazzettino, Il Messaggero, La Stampa); 78 International (El Pais, Le Monde, Times and New York Times). Methodology: We have chosen only articles speaking of thermonuclear fusion, without taking into account cold fusion. Our sociological approach has been content analysis via a questionnaire Questionnaire is subdivided in 3 main sections: Section 1, Morphologic characteristic Section 2, Modality of presentation Section 3, Communication modality

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Articles distribution in newspapers – 1

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Articles distribution in newspapers – 2 Spanish newspaper “El Pais” contains the highest number of articles. In Italian press, “Repubblica” and “Il Gazzettino” have a good attention for this topic. The interest of “Il Gazzettino” is strictly connected with a local context (the presence of CNR laboratories, Padova).

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Generally, there is a concentration of article in the 1991. In fact this year is very important for the research about fusion (Jet’s day, November 11). From 1992 to 1996 the interest towards fusion has been low. In 1997, there is another light peak of interest, for a new European record from the Jet. In the last years, newspapers cited again the fusion for the new international plan ITER. Articles: distribution in years

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Section 1, Morphologic characteristic Fusion is not dealt in relevant collocation; in fact it is collocated in the first page in few cases (only in November 1991). Articles are often collocated in “special pages”. “Fusion” is principally dealt in a scientific or technological overview, without be inserted in a wide socio-politic or cultural context. International press Italian press Article Collocation:

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Section 2, Modality of presentation For what concern, “nature of the message” a large number of articles are “uncritical”, because in general fusion technology is not a usual topic. “Uncritical” articles means that advantages or risks are not indicated. However, there is a “positive attitude” towards this topic, in fact, summing up modalities “enthusiasm” and “trust”, we found 45%.

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This result is confirmed by data referred to question on possible advantages deriving from fusion technology. What kind of advantages? First, regards the positive environmental impact of this technology and second is related with opportunity to improve the quality of life of all people around the World.

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Advantages are connected with presence of proposals for the implementation: Most regards the development of ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) or other fusion technologies.

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Section 3, Communication modality   The level of education required to understand the articles is mostly high, because the issue dealt is very complex and it goes from nuclear technology to energetic politics.

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Until now ... “Fusion” (in all daily-press) is principally dealt in a scientific or technological overview, without be inserted in a wide socio-politic or cultural context; daily press gives notice about this topic only when there is a special event or a new goal caught up, then, in a too discontinuous way to stimulate sufficient attention about fusion topic in public opinion. Tomorrow ... The future development and the increase of consideration about ITER will, likely, lead journalists and press to a major attention about the social and politic aspects connected with “fusion”. Today ... The attention on ITER plan is growing up.

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The presence of “fusion” on mass media in comparison with the other energy sources, is today “marginal” because: It is difficult to carry out a social and economic analysis; It needs a long time to arrive to goal of commercial power plant and, as consequence, benefits, de facto, are seen too far; According to the theory of technological risk: it is difficult to inform about differences among “fusion” and “fission”, also in presence of “Chernobyl Syndrome”. It is not favourite the association between “nuclear fusion” and “sustainable development”.

Slide18: 

More in general for the “fusion” as well as other scientific and technological arguments: There is not a good relationship between scientists and journalists; Dilemma between the necessity of simplifying of media production and the necessity of complexity of scientific discoveries is not solved at the moment.