Media coverage of nuclear energy after Fukushima

Abstract

This report presents the main findings of a content analysis of printed media coverage of nuclear energy in Spain before

and after the Fukushima accident. Our main objective is to understand the changes in the presentation of nuclear fission

and nuclear fusion as a result of the accident in Japan. We specifically analyze the volume of coverage and thematic

content in the media coverage for nuclear fusion from a sample of Spanish print articles in more than 20 newspapers

from 2008 to 2012. We also analyze the media coverage of nuclear energy (fission) in three main Spanish newspapers

one year before and one year after the accident. The results illustrate how the media contributed to the presentation of

nuclear power in the months before and after the accident. This could have implications for the public understanding

of nuclear power.