The Effects of Citizen Knowledge on the Effectiveness of Government Communications on Nuclear Energy Policy in South Korea

• Main Authors: Taejun (David) Lee, Myeong Chul Ko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
• Series: Information
• Subjects: symmetrical communication; transparent communication; government–citizen relationships; institutional legitimacy; policy acceptance; citizen knowledge
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/12/1/8

By analyzing survey data on nuclear energy policy in South Korea, this study examined the influence of citizens’ knowledge on the perceptions of and attitudes to government communication initiatives that are characterized by symmetry and transparency, and their effects in developing institutional legitimacy and policy acceptance. The findings indicate that symmetrical and transparent communication are involved in forming institutional legitimacy and policy acceptance of government decisions on the controversial topic of nuclear energy, but the process differs depending on citizens’ knowledge of the topic. Well-informed citizens who used reasoning were more likely than others to respond positively to symmetrical and transparent communication, which shaped their support for institutional legitimacy and policy acceptance on nuclear energy policy issues. These findings provide some of the first empirical evidence of the effectiveness of government communication.