Silent Nightmare

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We also know that the explosion and fire tore apart one of the reactors and that "31 people died" (2). However this figure conflicts with the April 29,1986 United Press International "unconfirmed" report that over 2000 people were killed by the Chernobyl nuclear reactor explosion (3).

Looking back, we can see that as the story unfolded, international outrage grew over Soviet limitations on news of the disaster, and, despite the lack of hard news attributable to reliable sources in the Soviet Union, newspapers here in the United States picked up the story and reported on it from almost every conceivable angle.

This effort attempts to examine the way the Chernobyl nuclear accident was reported on by the Chicago Tribune and the Christian Science Monitor during the first week after the accident, beginning with the initial report by the Soviet Council of Ministers published by the Tribune on April 29,1986. We will examine the coverage provided from four perspectives, ...

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be considered a related story. Criticisms of the Soviet actions by Washington officials would not be considered a related story.



However, such criticisms are considered "Official Reaction", our third perspective. The words and official actions in response to the disaster, by other officials around the world would also fall into this category, including criticisms of the Soviet Union by then Vice President George Bush.

Finally, a separate category has been established for editorial commentary, our fourth and final perspective. Editorial material appearing in either newspaper within the specified time period would be included in this group. This effort will not address the ...

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