PRINCIPLES OF OBJECTIVITY AND IMPARTIALITY IN NHK'S NEWS POLICY

Karimova Farangiz Sarvar qizi

Authors

Karimova Farangiz Sarvar qizi Master's Student, Faculty of Journalism, University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan

Keywords:

Keywords: Public Service Broadcasting, NHK, Broadcast Act of 1950, Objectivity, Impartiality, Journalism Ethics, Media Regulation, Japan.

Abstract

Abstract: This article examines the structural, legal, and operational frameworks that define the principles of objectivity and impartiality within the news policy of Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK), Japan’s public broadcaster. As one of the world's largest public media organizations, NHK operates under a distinct regulatory mandate established by the Broadcast Act of 1950. This legislation requires political neutrality, factual accuracy, and the presentation of multiple perspectives on controversial issues. This study utilizes document analysis of NHK’s internal corporate guidelines, broadcast law, and empirical audience reception data to analyze how these principles are maintained in contemporary journalism. The analysis highlights the structural mechanisms—such as the Board of Governors and the Broadcast Broadcast Compliance Committee—designed to insulate the network from political interference while evaluating the ongoing tensions between regulatory mandates and journalistic autonomy. The findings demonstrate that while NHK maintains high levels of institutional trust through rigorous adherence to cross-checking and neutral language, it faces systemic challenges in balancing state expectations with public accountability in an increasingly polarized media ecosystem.

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