The Politics of Public Broadcasting in Britain and Japan: The BBC and NHK Compared

The BBC and NHK are trusted news organizations that play a central role in shaping political, social, and cultural life in their respective countries. Despite similar organizational and funding structures, they differ in their editorial autonomy, relationship to the state, and social and cultural roles. The BBC is more willing to challenge prevailing social norms and serve as an agent of social change, while NHK prefers to avoid controversy and serve as an agent of social stability. These differences were shaped by decades of conflict and cooperation between broadcasters, governments, commercial media, interest groups, and audiences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Since the 1920s, the BBC and NHK have held a dominant position in their respective national media systems, exerting a significant influence on political, social, and cultural aspects of society. Both organizations are widely regarded as highly trusted news sources, playing a vital role in shaping national identity. Despite sharing remarkably similar organizational and funding structures, these two media giants exhibit distinct differences in terms of editorial autonomy, relationship to the state, and the social and cultural roles they fulfill.

While the BBC proudly embraces its independence, acting as a watchdog on the powerful, NHK prefers a more cooperative approach, working alongside political elites rather than confronting them. The BBC is also more inclined to challenge prevailing social norms, often serving as an agent of social change. On the other hand, NHK tends to avoid controversy, opting for a role that promotes social stability.

The book explores the origins and evolution of these differences, tracing them back to decades of conflict and cooperation between broadcasters, governments, commercial media, interest groups, and audiences. The broadcasters adopted distinct editorial strategies to retain public support and elite approval in the face of technological upheaval, competition from commercial rivals, and ongoing political interference. Despite these challenges, both the BBC and NHK continue to uphold the belief that public rather than commercial media serves the best interests of democracy and social progress.

In conclusion, the BBC and NHK have played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape of their respective countries for over a century. While they share certain similarities, their distinct editorial approaches, relationships to the state, and social and cultural roles have contributed to their unique identities and impact on society. Understanding these differences is crucial in appreciating the complex dynamics of the global media ecosystem.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032310398