Anti-nuclear organizations must struggle to get their voices heard in the face of the government’s heavy investment in propaganda, a local activist said on Sunday during a workshop on nuclear energy.
The country’s anti-nuclear organizations have to try their best, using only limited budgets and resources, to tell the public about the downside of nuclear energy so that people can decide whether they want to oppose it or not, Taiwan Environmental Protection Union secretary-general Lee Cho-han (李卓翰) said.
The union, founded in 1987, began its anti-nuclear movement the following year and has been leading regular demonstrations ever since.
“Our promotional resources compared with those of the state machine are inadequate,” Lee said at the workshop hosted by the union in Taipei to disclose what it described as the “truth about nuclear energy.”
The government only invests funds in promoting the benefits of nuclear energy and does not value discussion of related public safety issues, while civic groups have difficulty getting their voices heard, he said.
However, he said, there are also things the activists themselves can reflect upon. For example, sometimes the information they provide is too technical and too difficult for the public to understand.
Most of the time, people only hear that utility fees will increase and there will be insufficient -electricity if we abandon nuclear energy, he said.
“When the country discusses the nuclear issue, it is important to deliver correct information ... We do not want you to decide immediately that you are against nuclear energy. On the contrary, I hope after we provide accurate information, you can consider which stance you want to take — opposition or support,” he said.
At present, the group gives presentations around the country and trains volunteers to help disseminate its ideas, he said.
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