PRESS CONFERENCE
Journalist files freedom of speech lawsuit against Kyodo News
Yoichi Ishikawa, Plaintiff & Journalist
Yoichi Kitamura, Attorney at Law
July 24, Monday, 14:00-15:00 (Press Conference)
The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.
The issue of self-censorship is a long-standing problem in Japanese journalism and when Kyodo News allegedly gave in to demands from one of its parent newspapers – The Nagasaki Shimbun – to block a book that contained disturbing reports about a school in Nagasaki Prefecture, the reporter in question felt compelled to take legal action.
The Nagasaki Shimbun claims Yoichi Ishikawa's book – "The Sanctuary of Bullying: The Complete Record of Parents Who Took on the Dark Side of a Christian School" – which reports on the suicide of a high school student, is libelous and protested to Kyodo News. The news agency threatened to discipline Ishikawa if he reprinted the book or publicized the incident.
Kyodo "has silenced the speech of its reporters," Ishikawa says. "To protect my freedom of speech as a journalist, I am filing a lawsuit in the Tokyo District Court seeking damages from Kyodo News." Ishikawa will come to the FCCJ to explain his situation and lawsuit.
How to attend:
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Due to space restrictions attendance will be limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the event. Please sign in, giving your name and contact details at the reception, and have your temperature taken before proceeding.
How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live
Livestreaming of the press events will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel.
How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/ihrvwi66MrxqbgpV8
Members watching the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form.
TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event.
Professional Activities Committee