Akahata at 74th anniversary: In quest for truth -- Akahata editorial, February 1, 2002
Henmi Yo, a journalist-turned writer who is denouncing the brutal U.S. air strikes against Afghanistan, recently published a book, entitled "Tandoku Hatsugen" (Monologue). In the book he gives mass media warning about the recent reports on Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro's politics as follows:
"There is the danger that mass media might play the role of watchdogs for those in power, instead of being watchdogs of political power. It is not without reason that they give much space to articles favoring the Koizumi administration."
On-going political events are touchstone
"The terrorist attacks and the retaliatory war" and the Koizumi "reform" are present two major issues which can be used to assess the state of mass media.
In dealing with the question of the terrorist attacks and the war of retaliation, Japan's commercial newspapers all put up editorials in support of the air strikes. Only Akahata has expressed opposition to the war of retaliation on the grounds that it would not only be at the cost of innocent Afghan people but pave the way for more hatred and terrorist attacks and called for a U.N.-led solution in a reasoned way in conformity with the law.
The retaliatory war was not conducive to the elimination of terrorism. Not only that, the Bush administration's attempt to expand the war all over the world is a real danger. All this makes it clear that commercial media reports that fail to look at victims of the air strikes are really unreasonable.
Monna Naoki, professor at Rikkyo University said, "What is necessary for combating terrorism? On this question, the role and significance of Akahata, which makes cool analysis and foresees the future will be even greater." We quite agree with him.
The managing editor of a commercial newspaper recently reminisced about cheerleading Koizumi politics. This explains why this paper editorially said,"Reform is the best remedy," and "We encourage Prime Minister Koizumi," in relation to falls in stock prices.
Most newspapers have been running cheerleading stories for Koizumi's campaign for "the disposal of bad loans," "an increase in patients' burden of medical costs," and "personal responsibility, and self-help" without scrutinizing what the "reform" plans will mean to the people. By contrast, only Akahata has warned that the Koizumi "reform" will not only impose heavier hardships on the people but also imperil the nation's economy.
People are beginning to reject Koizumi's misgovernment throughout the country: workers are plucking up the courage to reject outrageous corporate restructuring and forcible dismissals and community-based movements are opposing the plan to increase elderly people's medical expenses. In each of these struggles, Akahata plays an indispensable role as the banner of struggle.
Akahata keeps the cause of peace without being influenced by a war fever; it stands for people's courageous struggles against injustices and irrationalities; and it seeks to establish humane and heart-to-heart relationships among people. These are characteristics which Akahata has developed since its founding.
The first issue of Akahata was published on February 1, 1928. Soon after its founding, Akahata was forced underground because of its opposition to Japan's war of aggression and the rule of the emperor system and its call for pacifism, people's sovereignty, and democracy.
Akahata has never curried favor with the current of the times and has told the truth representing the people's voices and reason, sometimes by risking life. This is Akahata's historical value inherited since its first issue. This real value of Akahata was manifest in its reports on the U.S.-led retaliatory war.
Time to show its real worth
A well-known journalist commended Akahata for playing a sensible role in resisting any pressure of the current of the times at a time many other newspapers are filled with ridiculous articles.
Now's the time to use this value of Akahata.
Letters to the editor say: "Akahata articles often bring tears to my eyes" (Osaka reader); "I am deeply moved by whose who summoned up the courage to struggle" (Hiroshima reader).
We will make further efforts to meet readers' expectations so that more and more people will read Akahata as a newspaper that helps to give them heart-to-heart relations and the courage to fight. (end)