The importance of international nuclear communications

Full text: We live in an age where 24 hours' news reporting is the norm where events on one side of the world can be shaping headlines on the other side of the globe in seconds. For the nuclear industry, recognising the dangers - and benefits - of working in an information intensive global society is essential. A single, non-safety related incident - anywhere - can spark a 'chain reaction' of ill-informed reports that has the potential to do more harm to the nuclear industry in terms of public and investor confidence than a serious accident. It is important to harness that flow of nuclear news and for the nuclear industry to ensure the nuclear case is put factually and effectively - reporting with authority and clarity when nuclear events unfold. Today, as we reflect on experiences and lessons learned from the first 50 years of nuclear power, the need for the nuclear community to communicate effectively and with transparency - within the industry itself as well as the general public - is of greater importance amid renewed interest in the benefits that nuclear power are likely to bring over the next half-century. (author)