RT Journal Article
T1 Risk Communication: An International Analysis of Radon Coverage in Selected Newspapers
A1 Forja Pena, Tania
A1 Martínez Graña, Paula
A1 Ortigueira Piñeiro, Lucía
A1 García Orosa, Berta
K1 Digital  communication
K1 Digital  media
K1 Journalism
K1 Online  communication
K1 Radon
K1 Risk communication
AB This study aims to analyze risk communication through a case study that provides a comprehensive examination of how media coverage of radon has evolved from 1925 to February 2023. Using quantitative and qualitative content analysis, it explores four dimensions: the evolution of coverage, thematic focus and perceived risk magnitude, reliability and credibility of sources, and authorship. The sample includes 445 news articles published in twelve international outlets from Europe and the United States. Results show that radon has remained largely invisible in the media, with attention concentrated around key scientific milestones. Coverage mainly frames radon as a residential and health hazard, while technological innovation and interactive formats are practically absent. Despite the frequent citation of expert and governmental sources, misinformation persists in a small yet concerning number of articles, particularly those suggesting health benefits of radon. The findings also reveal a lack of specialised journalism and limited preventive information. This study contributes to understanding how the media shape collective awareness of long-term environmental health threats and emphasises the importance of accurate, ethical, and evidence-based reporting to improve public knowledge.
PB Observatório da Comunicação
YR 2025
FD 2025-12-29
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/47319
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/47319
LA eng
NO Forja-Pena, T., Martínez-Graña, P., Ortigueira-Piñeiro, L., & García-Orosa, B. (2025). Risk communication: An international analysis of radon coverage in selected newspapers. Observatorio (OBS*), 19(4). https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS19420252684
NO This article is part of the R&D project Artificial Intelligence in Digital Media in Spain: Effects and Roles (PID2024-156034OB-C22), funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF/EU”. This research was funded by Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear, grant number SUBV-13/2021 (Radon in Spain: Public perception, media agenda and risk communication). The author Tania Forja-Pena holds a predoctoral contract from the Xunta de Galicia with the reference ED481A-2023-043.
DS Minerva
RD 22 may 2026