Media around the world

So corporations own the media in the U.S.  Everybody knows this, just like they know that all the politicians are bought and paid for.  (Whether they want to acknowledge it or not.)

Meanwhile, in Tokyo…

Well, here in Japan, it has always been more of a top-down system, and the media is a great example of that even today. (Top down meaning that the government body in power has the power – where as in the US it would be more like the corporations have the power and use politicians to enhance their causes.) This article is just one example that shows how the government controls the media – especially NHK (their version of the American PBS or the British BBC.)

When I first came here I was always surprised at how rarely the media was critical of the government, (or anything for that matter) and back then it seemed like it was only critical of the opposition party.  Once the Democratic party came into power, there was a clear shift in how the media reported.  There was more critical analysis of the entire government, (deservedly so) and political debates were shown in slots closer to prime time (as opposed to the middle of the night.)  There were even shows whose whole purpose was critical analysis and discussion of government.  It was like a regular hippy revolution of liberal thought or something.  People were getting educated about their politicians and the processes involved in government – it was all good.

Then along comes Abe – especially on his second tour – and BOOM the media shuts down.  (And gets shut down – like their restrictions to access of the capitol building.) Now don’t get me wrong – they haven’t gotten rid of all critical discussion of the government, it has just really taken a hit.  And NHK – well they are back to their “No bad news in Japan” policy.  Which is absolutely fucking disgusting since we are FORCED to pay ¥2,520 yen every 2 months for their so called programming – whether we watch it or not.

press clubs

http://www.jpri.org/publications/workingpapers/wp18.html

http://journalism.about.com/od/trends/a/Are-Japanese-News-Media-Asking-Government-Tough-Questions-About-Nuclear-Crisis.htm