National Risk Assessments and the Politics of Public Risk Communication

This policy brief highlights the political dimension of public risk communication and its ethical implications. First, the phenomenon of national risk assessments is introduced. Then, some of their political effects are outlined, with an emphasis on unintended consequences. On this basis, three ethical questions are raised for policymakers responsible for the communication of national risk assessments. Finally, as an example of how the questions might be answered, a framework for a new national risk management website in Norway is proposed.