iraq2

Journalists oppose call for 'personal responsibility'

Well-known journalists criticized the government for putting emphasis the "personal responsibility" of Japanese civilians who had been taken hostages in Iraq.

Fourteen public figures, mostly journalists, on April 22 held a rally at the Diet building to demand a withdrawal of the Self-Defense Forces from Iraq and expressed opposition to media control.

Based on his experiences in covering conflicts, Nonaka Akihiro of the Asia Press International said that NGOs have carried out activities to help people in the most desperate areas.

He said, "The courage and energy of citizens like Ms Takato Nahoko (NGO worker who was taken hostage and later released in Iraq) have contributed most to establishing world peace. The government is avoiding discussing what international cooperation really is."

Pointing out that the term "personal responsibility" was first used by the government, nonfiction writer Yoshioka Shinobu said, "The government has started centralizing the media's information source in the attempt to strategically use the media."

Okamoto Atsushi, editor of the monthly "World" magazine, said, "The hostages were rescued because Iraqi people recognized their humanitarian efforts as well as good intentions."

"It is 100-percent clear that the invasion of Iraq was wrong, a war in violation of international laws. What's happening in Iraq today is an extension of that war. We always have to be aware of the heart of the matter and express our opinion," Okamoto added. (end)