Government orders to NHK of what to air in violation of freedom of press

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Government orders to NHK of what to air in violation of freedom of press
Akahata editorial (excerpts)

Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Suga Yoshihide on November 10 ordered NHK to air programs on North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals on Radio Japan, NHK's international shortwave radio service.

Based on the Constitution, the Broadcast Law provides for a principle to ensure freedom of expression rejecting government intervention. As broadcasters are entrusted with freedom of programming, this government order also poses a serious problem regarding the independence and autonomy of broadcasting.

Media representatives as well as scholars and citizens are requesting the government to rescind the order.

Whether or not NHK should air programs on the abduction issue on its international radio service is not called into question. At issue is whether or not the government should issue an order that obligates NHK to air programs containing certain contents.

Though Broadcast Law provides that the communication minister can order NHK contents of programs to be aired in its international service, the government has never said specifically what program NHK should air.

This order is nothing other than government intervention into broadcasting.

Suga said that the government attaches importance to the abduction issue, but even within the Liberal Democratic Party dissent has been expressed.

During WWII NHK was kept under state control, and its radio service was used to mobilize the general public for the war. Its overseas broadcasting was used to propagate the state policy.

The government order in question may pave the way for degenerating the NHK international service into a state policy propaganda service.

As the internal affairs ministry's FY 2007 budget request causes concern that such an order will also be issued to TV broadcasts, we cannot take this issue lightly.

NHK President Hashimoto Gen'ichi said that as a member of the press NHK will maintain independence and autonomy of programming, without making clear its position on the government order.

Can NHK, with such an attitude, really defend freedom of expression and independence of the press?

As this issue affects all viewers and listeners, NHK must take up this question in its program and provide them with materials necessary to judge for themselves.

The government must rescind the order that affects the content of programs. It is a matter of course that a drastic revision to a setup enabling the government to issue such an order is called for.
- Akahata, November 12, 2006