Japan Press Weekly

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2020 April 22 - May 12 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Survey indicates media CEOs and gov't obstruct freedom of press

A survey of media workers shows that 80% of respondents see that it is executives of media organizations and 70% also see that it is government representatives who are obstructing freedom of the press.

The Mass Media Information and Culture Union (MIC) on April 21 released the survey results regarding "the crisis of freedom of the press".

According to the survey, 57.9% answered that freedom of the press in the workplace is "not protected" while 15.9% said it is "protected". The major obstructive factor is media CEOs' bias (82.7%), the government bias (68.7%), mid-level executives' bias (60.3%), and the unstable employment status of media workers that induce them to tow the corporate/government line (21%).

In the comment section, a newspaper journalist wrote, "At a briefing on the new coronavirus, government officials told us to not use the expression, 'medical collapse'." Several broadcast workers wrote, "We are not supposed to air anything that would be deemed critical of the prime minister," "Government claims are aired without careful examination," and "Our reports were unilaterally labeled as 'misinformation' by the government and we were asked to make an apology and issue a correction." A news show producer said, "Free exchanges of ideas are not conducted. We just come into line with our superiors or surmise their intent, and we do not broadcast anything that raises questions or has a hint of criticism."

Past related articles:
> Unionized media workers rally to oppose TV Asahi’s unfair dismissal of temporary workers [February 14, 2020]
> Attack on press freedom reveals Abe regime's fascist nature [February 14, 2019]