Bill to revise Broadcast Act passes through Lower House committee

Japan Press Weekly

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

Bill to revise Broadcast Act passes through Lower House committee

The ruling parties on May 25 used the force of majority to pass a bill to revise the Broadcast Act, which may pave the way for state intervention in broadcasting, through the House of Representatives Internal Affairs and Communications Committee.

The bill, if enacted, gives the Minister of Communication the authority to approve newcomers to start production of TV and radio programs as well as to order broadcasters other than TV or radio stations to suspend their businesses.

The Japan Federation of Commercial Broadcast Workers' Unions has pointed out that it would have a serious negative impact on the freedom of speech and expression.

In discussions prior to the vote, Japanese Communist Party representative Shiokawa Tetsuya revealed that the bill would relax regulations on giant broadcasters that require them to provide broadcasting opportunities for as many stations as possible.

The current law allows flagship stations to hold only up to a 10 percent share of a local broadcaster in order to prevent them from monopolizing the media. The bill proposes to increase the upper limit to 33 percent.

Shiokawa criticized the bill as undermining media's diversity and local access.

- Akahata, May 28, 2010