Thursday, February 08, 2018, 11:30 - 13:30
Fake News in Japan: Fact-checking Japan's Media
Language: The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation)
Over the past year, "fake news" has gained international currency and generated concern and fierce debate among politicians, journalists, and the public at large as to what it is, and is not, and how to combat it. Mainstream reporters, editors, and producers are under siege as readers and viewers become ever more distrustful of what they see and hear. Private organizations exist abroad to monitor and report on those who report and edit. But what about Japan?
A poll released last month by the Washington DC - based Pew Research Center showed that only 65 percent of Japanese surveyed believe their news media covers events accurately. But younger Japanese follow traditional mainstream media much less than in the past, and widely distrust the way Japan’s traditional media operates.
Is the Japanese media pursuing the truth? Are they checking the statements of politicians? To what extent are Japanese media claims supported by the facts? Three members of FactCheck Initiative Japan, all former journalists, will discuss the state of Japan’s media reporting and accuracy in the age of "fake news" and present their findings.
Yoichiro Tateiwa, Co-Founder, FactCheck Initiative Japan, is a former NHK senior producer who led the team that reported on the Panama Papers and headed NHK World’s investigative unit.
Hitofumi Yanai, Executive Director, FactCheck Initiative Japan, is a former reporter for the Sankei newspaper, an associate lawyer with Verybest Law Office in Tokyo, and the founder of WANJ.
Keiko Kanai, a professor at Kindai University is a former Reuters correspondent in Tokyo and Osaka, and a columnist for the Osaka Nichi Nichi Shimbun. She will offer examples of fake news in Japan how, and why, it spreads.
Please join us for what promises to be a unique and timely look at the state of the Japanese media today.
Please reserve in advance, 3211-3161 or on the website (still & TV cameras inclusive). The charge for members/members' guest is 1,750/2,700 yen; non-members eligible to attend may pay in cash by e mail reservation (front@fccj.or.jp). (Menu:sautéed snapper with boolean blanc source.) Reservations canceled less than one hour in advance for working press members, and 24 hours for all others, will be charged in full. Reservations and cancellations are not complete without confirmation. For meal service, please enter the room by 11:55.
Professional Activities Committee
Keiko Kanai Youichi Tateiwa Hitofumi Yanai