2018 年 92 巻 p. 67-85
The aim of this paper is to examine the Deliberative Organ (or Council)
for broadcast programmes (Bangumi Shingikai), a statutory advisory body
established by each TV and radio station in accordance with Japan’s broadcast
act. Together with Programme Standards, the Deliberative Council is a significant
part of ‘Japan’s Regulation Model for Broadcasting’ that ensures the appropriateness
of the broadcast programmes. Designed to be self-regulatory, the
council enables broadcasters and audiences with high esteem to discuss the
quality of the programmes and consider whether they are appropriate for
broadcasting. Despite its importance, little research attention has been given to
the practice of this system. In reflecting upon the history of the system and the
gender and occupational ratio of committee members, this paper focuses on
how terrestrial commercial broadcasting stations have managed the council.
Surveys were also conducted among these stations in 2016, and the results indicate that the system is not fully regarded as a system of self-regulation among
broadcasters, although it is generally valued from the point of programme
improvement.