Government Change and Policy Continuity : A Case Study of Policy on Civil Society Media in Japan
Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: IntroductionWhen the over fifty-year rule of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan came to an end in fall 2009, overdue changes in media policy suddenly seemed possible.Media reformers and especially 'civil society media' people greeted the new government with cautious optimism, which soon turned into disappointment.This article focuses on their efforts to influence policy and tries to assess the outcomes and prospects for further action.Major changes in government from conservative to progressive are often accompanied by great hopes and expectations for changes in media policy.There is no lack of examples where such changes have presented opportunities for media reform and re-configuring the media system.Especially the recognition and inclusion of non-commercial non-governmental media based in civil society (here called 'civil society media') has been well documented (Buckley et al 2008).In the Republic of Korea, for example, the Noh administration responded to civil society demands with wide-ranging media reform, including a support system for independent and civil society based media.Though many of these reforms have been rolled back by later administrations, they remain an example for successful implementation of policy for civil society media.In neighboring Japan, many activists and researchers have taken inspiration from these policies, and are currently working for similar gains.However, as in most other policy areas, the outcomes have been overall discouraging, and the movement is stalling.After a phase of organizing around policy issues from 2008-2010, many practitioners now focus again on producing media with and for their communities within the restraints of the existing system.In many countries, organizations dedicated to socially engaged media making have pioneered local broadcasting, distribution systems for non-commercial print media, multi-lingual media, what is now called usergenerated media, "narrow-casting", and citizen's participation in media policy. 1 However, almost everywhere 1
Authors: Gabriele Hadl, Stefanía Milan
Language: English
Subfield: Communication
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Kwansei Gakuin University
OpenAlex ID: W177872672