NHKの危機と放送法制に関する一考察  [in Japanese] A Study on NHK's Crisis and Broadcasting Law  [in Japanese]

Recently, NHK's license fee(viewing charge) has been rejected to pay by many viewers. The total numbers of rejection has reached approximately 750,000 at the end of March 2005. That, NHK faces serious situation with operating budget. Recent NHK's Crisis i

Recently, NHK's license fee(viewing charge) has been rejected to pay by many viewers. The total numbers of rejection has reached approximately 750,000 at the end of March 2005. That, NHK faces serious situation with operating budget. Recent NHK's Crisis is result from consecutive money scandals by internal staffs and the doubt of a specific TV program alteration under pressure of politicians. NHK officially announced some money scandals then, apologized to viewers since summer, 2004. However, there was not sufficient explanation to satisfy viewers that, it has brought out increasing of rejection to pay NHK viewing charge. At last former chairman of NHK resigned with responsibility for this problem. On the other hand, January 2005, the specific TV program (which was on responsibility of the Second World War in Japan, broadcasted in January 2001) had been altered on its prospectus under pressure of two Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers. Also, Asahi Shimbun reported the fact with same purport. However, it is not cleared up till now then, it became a factor why viewers have rejected to pay viewing charge. NHK is the public broadcasting company guaranteed by broadcasting law. But according to above problems, we can presume that NHK has its structural problem, its internal check system is dysfunctioned, and it has inappropriate connection with political power. To overcome these problems, it is desirable that broadcasting law has to be partially amended and NHK should make voluntary reform of service system. From a legal viewpoint, installation of the independent regulation agency of broadcast is necessary, NHK management commission has to be reformed, and viewing charge system should be changed corresponding to NHK viewing conduct of each household. Most of all, NHK must restore reliance from viewers through fundamental reform by itself.