北海道新聞記者逮捕事件に関する考察

抄録

This study aims to examine major issues related to media law and ethics and to explore the challenges faced by the media industry over the arrest of a reporter for the Hokkaido Shimbun on June 22, 2021, for the alleged unauthorized invasion of the building of Asahikawa Medical University while covering the dismissal of the president of the university. The main results of this study are as follows. First, the news-gathering activity of the reporter to be guilty of breaking and entering, but in fact, there is justifiable cause as a legitimate news-gathering activity. Second, the arrest was recognized as an act of high public interest, but the results show that there is a violation of journalism ethics due to the lack of urgency or inevitability to carry out undercover work. Third, the Hokkaido Shimbun has not fully fulfilled its internal and external accountability regarding behind-the-scenes details of this coverage and the response to the exercise of public authority. Last, the press industry must take this opportunity to address restrictions on access to public information and journalism ethics issues. A genuine self-regulatory system should be established to improve journalistic ethics while protecting the freedom of the press.