May 16, 2018
Female journalists from 31 media organs, including newspapers, news agencies, television networks, publishers, and online media, have established a professional society called "Women in Media Network Japan (WiMN)" to work to eradicate sexual harassment from the media industry.
Hayashi Yoshiko, former Asahi Shimbun reporter, and freelancer Matsumoto Chie will lead the 86-member network as representative coordinators.
On May 15, Hayashi and Matsumoto held a press conference in Tokyo and announced that WiMN already requested Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and Finance Minister Aso Taro to take proper action in handling the allegations against Fukuda Jun'ichi, a former Administrative Vice Finance Minister, of sexually harassing a TV Asahi woman reporter.
The network also requested TV Asahi to take measures for the victim and her supporters to not suffer any type of retaliation.
Hayashi said, "Sexual harassment is committed by news sources and within each organization, but many women felt it difficult to raise their voices in protest. The recent accusation made by the victim strongly encouraged us to take action, so we decided to team up against sexual harassment in the media as well as against all forms of human rights abuses." She added, "To create a women-friendly work environment in the media will certainly help protect the right to freedom of press and people's right to have access to information as guaranteed in Article 21 of the Constitution, leading to further cementing the foundation of democracy."
Matumoto quoted a reporter with 20 years of experience in news outlets as saying, "I have been subjected to various forms of sexual harassment. I don't want younger women in this industry to be treated like I have been."
Past related articles:
> Koike denounces ex-Education Minister for criticizing sexual harassment victim [April 24, 2018]
> Unionized female reporters issue joint statement condemning sexual harassment [April 22 & 24, 2018]
> Lawmakers of 6 opposition parties call for protection of sexual harassment victim and TV Asahi [April 21, 2018]
Hayashi Yoshiko, former Asahi Shimbun reporter, and freelancer Matsumoto Chie will lead the 86-member network as representative coordinators.
On May 15, Hayashi and Matsumoto held a press conference in Tokyo and announced that WiMN already requested Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and Finance Minister Aso Taro to take proper action in handling the allegations against Fukuda Jun'ichi, a former Administrative Vice Finance Minister, of sexually harassing a TV Asahi woman reporter.
The network also requested TV Asahi to take measures for the victim and her supporters to not suffer any type of retaliation.
Hayashi said, "Sexual harassment is committed by news sources and within each organization, but many women felt it difficult to raise their voices in protest. The recent accusation made by the victim strongly encouraged us to take action, so we decided to team up against sexual harassment in the media as well as against all forms of human rights abuses." She added, "To create a women-friendly work environment in the media will certainly help protect the right to freedom of press and people's right to have access to information as guaranteed in Article 21 of the Constitution, leading to further cementing the foundation of democracy."
Matumoto quoted a reporter with 20 years of experience in news outlets as saying, "I have been subjected to various forms of sexual harassment. I don't want younger women in this industry to be treated like I have been."
Past related articles:
> Koike denounces ex-Education Minister for criticizing sexual harassment victim [April 24, 2018]
> Unionized female reporters issue joint statement condemning sexual harassment [April 22 & 24, 2018]
> Lawmakers of 6 opposition parties call for protection of sexual harassment victim and TV Asahi [April 21, 2018]
