[Asahi Shimbun editorial] Regarding the NHK radio inappropriate issue， it is necessary to accurately convey Japan’s position to the world， but it is not acceptable for the station to appear to be merely a spokesperson for the government．

Last month, a Chinese external staff member on NHK’s international radio broadcast and other Chinese-language news channels made an unscripted remark after reading a news story about graffiti at Yasukuni Shrine. In Chinese, he said about the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, “They are Chinese territory,” and in English, “Do not forget the Nanjing Massacre.” It is problematic that staff members unilaterally expressed their opinions in news stories that were not directly related to topics that should have been carefully considered before reporting. NHK’s response and disclosure of information have been slow, but I would like them to tackle the issue head-on by identifying the cause and preventing recurrence. However, this issue must not be used to threaten NHK’s broadcasting autonomy. There has been a history of excessive expectations being placed on international broadcasting to play a role similar to that of national public relations. NHK’s international program standards state that it conveys “Japan’s official views on important policies and international issues” and that its “commentary and tone will clarify Japan’s position based on fair criticism and opinion.” The Broadcasting Act also stipulates a mechanism that allows NHK to request international broadcasting of matters designated by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, such as “matters related to important national policies.” The government will also provide subsidies to cover the costs. NHK holds editorial rights and has refrained from making any in-depth requests, but in 2006, then-Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Suga Yoshihide ordered the program to focus on the abduction issue. In the past, the then-chairman of the board of directors said, “When it comes to issues where interests conflict, we should assert Japan’s national interests,” and the chairman said, “We cannot go left just because the government says right.” It is necessary to accurately convey Japan’s position overseas, but if it appears to be merely a government mouthpiece, it will not gain the trust and attention that only an independent public broadcaster can enjoy. It would also be meaningful to show the world that there is freedom of the press and editorial freedom in Japan. The Broadcasting Act also requires that “on issues where opinions are divided, the points at issue shall be clarified from as many angles as possible.” In a statement, NHK said, “One of the reasons for this was a lack of awareness of security issues across NHK as a whole.” The word “security” was brought up before the motive was fully clear. It seems as if the country and the position are one and the same. We must first take a firm look at the lax system that so easily permits private use of broadcasting. The introduction of AI voice messaging is also being considered to prevent recurrence, but we hope that staff who are unrelated to the incident will not be disadvantaged. In order to protect editorial independence, we need the station to take effective measures to prevent recurrence and make efforts to prevent this shrinking atmosphere from spreading within the station, including beyond its international broadcasts.

（社説）ＮＨＫ国際放送　編集の自由守るために：朝日新聞デジタル

ＮＨＫのラジオ国際放送などの中国語ニュースで先月、中国人の外部スタッフが、靖国神社の落書きのニュースを読んだ後、原稿にない発言をした。中国語で沖縄県の尖閣諸島について「中国の領土です」、英語で「南京…

www.asahi.com