Risk communications: the Barsebaeck nuclear plant case

This paper examines Sweden's efforts in risk communication towards Denmark on the Barsebaeck nuclear power plant, which is located only 20 kilometres away from Copenhagen across the Oresund Channel. It pays particular attention to the periods surrounding the two accidents at the plant in the autumns of 1992 and 1993. The study, based on qualitative and quantitative research methods in both Sweden and Denmark, suggests that Sweden should have adopted a reciprocal or dialogical risk communication process rather than a one-way, source to target strategy. This approach failed largely due to the Dane's lack of trust of Swedish policy makers, the arrogance of the Swedish utility owning the plant, and an amplification of the risks associated with the Barsebaeck plant by policy makers and the mass media in Denmark. (Author)