Internet freedom: Fukushima's latest casualty?
The government has criticized some media of magnifying irresponsible rumors about the earthquake and nuclear crisis, and has taken measures to "protect the public." In March and April, a special team sent “letters of request” to internet providers, telecom companies, cable TV stations and others to take measures in order to respond to illegal information, including erasing any information from the Internet that can be seen as harmful to morality and public order. The results of the letters were varied.
Since March 11, some YouTube videos containing comments or pictures unfavorable to Tepco, the operator of the Fukushima plant, or the Japanese government, have been removed within several hours of their posting, according to Nuclear News, quoted by The Examiner.
The Parliament also passed “The Computer Network Monitoring Law” on June 17, which allows the police to monitor internet activity without restriction, according to Prof. Ibusuki of Seijo University Law Department. Others have questioned whether the law will be open to abuse, or can be used to prevent freedom of speech.
The radiation levels in the restricted area around Fukushima, and control of the food chain, are among the topics reflected in the media that officials wish to see portrayed in a less negative light.
The moves are in line with a proposal in a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry budget passed in May for which ¥0.2 billion was allocated. The proposal reads: "METI will provide detailed information on the effect of radiation resulting from the recent nuclear incident, keep watch on inaccurate information if posted on the Internet and provide correct information against it"
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