Nuclear energy and disinformation – the voice of the Foundation at the Energy Transition Congress

Last week, the president of the FORUM ATOMOWE Foundation, Łukasz Koszuk, took part in a panel discussion “Building public support for new energy – fighting disinformation” during the Energy Transition Congress 2025 in Warsaw. The focus of the conversation was an issue that increasingly determines the success or failure of energy transformation – social trust, and its biggest opponent: disinformation.

For years, nuclear energy has been particularly susceptible to false narratives. It is a complex technology, burdened with historical associations and often used in political and media messages based on emotions. Fear of radiation, misunderstanding of the principles of reactor operation, complicated regulatory processes – all this creates fertile ground for manipulation. Suffice it to mention the case of the film “The China Syndrome”, which hit theaters just 12 days before the Three Mile Island accident. The (fictional) film script resembled real events so much that many Americans believed Jane Fonda more than their own government. The effects on the development of nuclear energy were immediate – public trust collapsed and investments were suspended.

Contemporary disinformation works less spectacularly, but much more effectively. As the NASK and PTBN report shows, the Polish debate around the nuclear power is circulated by narratives about alleged health hazards, interests of foreign countries, ecological harm and unprofitability of projects. They are often spread by anonymous or inauthentic accounts that polarize public opinion.

Fighting disinformation is an important element of building public trust in energy projects, including PPEJ. What is extremely encouraging, public opinion polls indicate very high, reaching up to 90%, support of Polish society for the development of nuclear energy. This foundation of social trust is a joint success – the result of the work of many groups.

However, such high support does not mean the end of challenges. Disinformation is increasingly taking on a local character, and its edge is directed at communities living in the immediate vicinity of planned investments – for example in the Choczewo Commune, where the first nuclear power plant is being built. It is there that disinformation can try to root uncertainty and fear. That is why open dialogue, transparency and the presence of experts in the field are today as important as technology and construction schedules.

Our response should be not only facts and data, but above all consistent, reliable communication, conducted with respect and empathy. Education, involvement of local leaders, monitoring the information space and consistent response to false messages are today inseparable elements of responsible energy transformation.

We would like to thank Mr. Michał Niewiadomski from the Energy Club for inviting us to this important discussion. Together we must ensure that the path to clean energy is based not on fear, but on knowledge and trust.