Effective practices in public communication to mitigate undesirable outcomes for the general public as a result of a nuclear or radiological emergency

Maria Krusteva, PR of NRA

International Experts Meeting on Enhancing Transparency and Communications Effectiveness in the event of a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency 18th 20th June 2012, IAEA, Vienna

Circumstances context
Circumstances context of the Site of accident; Monitoring of the Bulgarian context;

International co-operation;

Messages
There is no danger for people and environment in Bulgaria at the moment of the accident and its not necessary to take any measures for radiation protection; Experts of Emergency response division observed the situation in Japan as well as the gamma-background in Bulgaria. The public was advised to keep in touch with the gamma-background of the air in Bulgaria available on the BNRA web page; The public in Bulgaria is very sensitive to nuclear and radiological accidents. BNRA provided information about the situation in Japan and about the radiation doses in the air in Bulgaria every day;

Messages
BNRA advised people to take iodine and other measures for radiation protection only after specific notification from competent authorities via media; BNRA provided information via media and web page about first transfer of iodine 131 in Bulgaria.

Audiences
General public - The messages were addressed to the general public and their contents were clear, accurate, faithful and in plain language;
Bulgarian citizens stayed or sojourned in foreign countries - They were advised as well to watch local information broadcast and to follow instructions given by local competent authorities.

Channels of information
BNRA web page - A heading Information for the accident in NPP in Japan with fast access was established on the BNRA web page;
There was actual data about gamma-background in many points of Bulgaria on the BNRA web page as well.

Channels of information
Media - Media covered the accident. The Fukushima accident was among the leading news for a long time. The Chairman of BNRA, Deputy Chairmen and Head of Emergency Response Division were designated for BNRA spokespersons. They had inclusions live in radio and TV broadcasts every day. The spokespersons answered journalists questions via phone, e-mail and face-to-face conversation.

Channels of information
Press conference - Systems ECURIE EU, USA
IAEA were demonstrated by the Chairman of BNRA in front of the Minister of economy, energy and tourism and in front of journalists at the press conference in the BNRA Emergency response division. Experts from BNRA and National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation protection took part in the press conference as well.

Sources of Information
About situation in Japan - IAEA, International Broadcasting Companies as BBC, CNN, France Press and etc; About measurements in Bulgaria - The main source of information was BNRA as well as the rest competent institutions.

Public communication after the crisis related to Fukushima accident

Information about Additional Safety Assessment Stress-Tests for Kozloduy NPP; A year after Fukushima

Principles of the public communication

Provide information Transparency; Honesty; Reliability; Accuracy; Clarity short, clear and unambiguous messages;

Conclusions
During the Fukushima accident crisis the public communication was under control of the competent authorities; They provided clear and accurate messages. They did not let information gap or misinformation. That kept public communication from rumours as well as kept the society from mass panic and fears; BNRA followed principles of public communication. Its experts were quoted in the media articles and broadcasts as reliable, trusty, auspicious and responsible sources of information.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!