March 1, 2016
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2016 February 24 - March 1 [POLITICS]
TV anchors protest against minister’s remarks intimidating broadcasters |
The appeal criticizes the remarks recently made by Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Takaichi Sanae as being against the spirit of the Broadcast Act.
At a press conference held on the same day, the newscasters claimed that Article 4 of the law, reflecting upon the bitter experience in the past war of aggression, seeks to reject government intervention in the contents of broadcasting programs and to ensure the independence of broadcasting.
The appeal calls into question the circumstances surrounding broadcasters being increasingly suffocated. It expresses concern that voluntary restrictions on anti-government comments, special considerations given to specific programs, or hesitation to make free-minded programs may occur from inside the industry.
Kishii Shigetada, a TV newscaster, said, “Political neutrality is to watch the overrun of power. It’s not something that the government judges as neutral.”
Tahara Soichiro, a critic and journalist, said, “If we don’t criticize or don’t even report on this issue, the present government will keep pushing for more journalistic control. So, all news networks should protest against the minister’s remarks until she comes to feel ashamed of the remarks she herself made.”
Torigoe Shuntaro, a TV personality and journalist, regarded the minister’s remarks as an intent to intimidate the broadcasting industry. He said, “The Abe regime with its apparent disdain of the general public has given Takaichi the green light to make such remarks. This is a fight between an independent media and government control over media.”
Past related articles:
> Journalists’ group in statement urges internal affairs minister to step down for her remarks [February 13, 2016]
> Minister hints at possibility of ordering broadcasters to go off the air [February 10, 2016]
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