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1978 Microwave Review: The Old Song and Dance Routine, or, When In Trouble, Blame the Press

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Paul Brodeur · 1978

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Government agencies have used blame-the-media tactics to deflect microwave health concerns since the 1970s.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1978 analysis by Paul Brodeur examined how government agencies and industry responded to growing concerns about microwave radiation health effects by blaming media coverage rather than addressing the science. The review covered controversial cases including the Moscow Embassy microwave bombardment and PAVE PAWS radar systems, highlighting patterns of deflecting responsibility when health questions arose.

Why This Matters

Brodeur's 1978 analysis reveals a playbook that remains remarkably consistent today. When faced with uncomfortable questions about microwave radiation health effects, the response was to attack the messenger rather than engage with the science. This pattern of blaming press coverage for public concern while avoiding substantive discussion of health evidence has deep historical roots. The cases Brodeur examined, including the Moscow Embassy incident where diplomats were subjected to microwave bombardment, represented early warning signs that were systematically dismissed through public relations tactics rather than scientific investigation. What makes this particularly relevant today is how similar deflection strategies continue to dominate EMF policy discussions, with industry and regulatory agencies often focusing more on managing public perception than addressing legitimate health concerns raised by independent research.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 450 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 450 MHzPower lines50/60 HzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

To analyze the government's response to public health concerns regarding microwave and radiofrequency radiation exposure in 1978, particularly focusing on the lack of adequate research, regulation, and transparency.

The government failed to adequately address public health concerns about microwave radiation exposure, suppressing scientific data, maintaining inadequate exposure standards, and avoiding responsibility for the widespread public exposure to potentially harmful radiation.

Cite This Study
Paul Brodeur (1978). 1978 Microwave Review: The Old Song and Dance Routine, or, When In Trouble, Blame the Press.
Show BibTeX
@article{1978_microwave_review_the_old_song_and_dance_routine_or_when_in_trouble_blame_th_g6170,
  author = {Paul Brodeur},
  title = {1978 Microwave Review: The Old Song and Dance Routine, or, When In Trouble, Blame the Press},
  year = {1978},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

The Moscow Embassy case involved U.S. diplomatic staff being exposed to microwave radiation beams from Soviet sources, raising health concerns that government officials downplayed by criticizing press coverage rather than investigating potential health impacts.
PAVE PAWS was a military radar system that generated powerful microwave emissions near populated areas. Public health concerns about exposure were met with criticism of media reporting rather than transparent health assessments.
Rather than addressing scientific evidence directly, agencies typically blamed news media for creating unnecessary public alarm, using public relations strategies to deflect attention from potential health risks associated with microwave radiation exposure.
ERMAC (Electromagnetic Radiation Management Advisory Council) was involved in government responses to microwave health concerns, though Brodeur's analysis suggests their approach focused more on managing public perception than investigating health effects.
Brodeur identified a predictable pattern where authorities consistently blamed press coverage whenever microwave health concerns arose, rather than conducting thorough scientific investigations or providing transparent public health assessments of potential risks.