BBC, you disappoint me deeply
Why am I saying this.
Currently on the live updates page there are three posts that people in Japan have made to the site:
The first one
[Name Removed by Request] in Tokyo writes: “Last night a group of my husband’s colleagues panicked about the nuclear reactor situation and decided to head out of Tokyo by train. Some have gone to Kyoto, others Osaka with the intent of being closer to an international airport should the situation with the nuclear reactor grow worse and we need to evacuate from Tokyo too. We are now heading to the gas station to fill up the car, and already have our passports in a bag close to the door.”
This kind of scaremongering post helps no one. The post itself admits that people PANICKED and headed for the airports, they did not act rationally or listen to the experts (Not necessarily the Japanese ones, listen to the foreign experts opinions if you do not trust the Japanese government to give accurate information).
David Samworth, Nagoya, Japan writes: “I am disappointed to read of foreign business people who are readying to flee the country at the first sight of trouble; if you come to Japan to make your livelihood then that comes with a responsibility to your hosts to help in their time of need – and if ever there was one, this is now.”
Damn straight, David! I made a similar post to the BBC which was not published.
Colin Walker, Nagoya, Japan writes: “Regarding business people thinking about leaving [see entry at 0817]. If we are talking about the earthquake and tsunami then yes, people should stay to offer help. However, the government and Tepco [the Tokyo Electric Power Co] have been very weak with their info about the nuclear reactors. If they are in a meltdown situation then as many people as can should prepare to leave Japan. Period. This is not a joke.”
Mr. Walker, are you a Nuclear worker? Nuclear Scientist? Nuclear Researcher? No? Then why are you spouting this alarmist nonsense? I am not an expert either, all I have done is read what the experts are posting on internet forums and news sites and none of them is telling people to run for the hills.
BBC, your own nuclear expert is saying live on your show not to panic and that the worst case “Chernobyl” style scenarios are basically impossible, practically no one in Tokyo is at risk, but don’t listen to me, ask your own nuclear expert. Ask him to tell the world what risks people in Tokyo are facing. Do your part to calm nerves and put peoples’ minds at rest where needed!
Why are you giving voice to people who have no idea what they are talking about and posting general scaremongering, is it more dramatic? Most normal people seem to lose all intelligence when the words “Nuclear” are uttered. Your remit is to INFORM the people and be sensible about it.
Let your experts inform us about what prudent measures should be taken. Do not let the ignorant masses and drama queens dictate the message or give them a platform from which to alarm people unnecessarily. There are enough real problems here right now that we do not need it.
