Matsumoto Hitoshi’s BPO Complaint as a Form of Subtle Pressure on TV Networks

In response, Yozo Matsuda, president of Yomiuri Television, which produces “Miyaneya,” said at a regular press conference

I have read the contents of the protest letter, and I think there is a misunderstanding about the facts. I have decided that there is no need to correct it.

He also commented, “The station has long been a leader in the “Downtown D” business. The station has produced “Downtown DX” for many years, but has not lost its bullish stance.

Comparing what Tashiro’s lawyer claims with what was actually broadcast, Tashiro’s side of the story seems a bit aggressive. As to whether or not there was a recording, based on the flow of the conversation back and forth, he is not asserting that there was a recording, but rather saying, ‘Well, there is a recording, isn’t there?　If it were now, right?’ I get the impression that he is stating this with a question mark.

The BPO is not sure what to make of this. I wonder what the BPO will make of this ……” (sports newspaper reporter).

The program has pursued the issue of the former Unification Church and has received fierce protests from the denomination. According to a TV station official

According to a TV station official, “Miyaneya has always been an easy target among afternoon wide show programs. The staff is very careful about what they can prepare in advance, taking into account the risk of lawsuits. They are accustomed to temporary flames, and the staff does not seem to have been moved by the current incident.

The staff is used to temporary flames, and they do not seem to have been moved by the current incident.

It is also possible that the staff was trying to give other stations a hard time by naming “Miyaneya” in the first place.

“Lawyer Tashiro must have been very tense, since he was threatening to file a protest with the BPO over ‘that content. To me, it seemed as if he was saying, ‘I won’t forgive you if you report anything strange. Unfortunately, it is the current TV industry that shrinks away from such things.

When we report on Mr. Matsumoto’s case, it is a safe story that follows the “outer boundaries. The upper management seems to think, “We can’t afford a lawsuit. Well, it must have been a very effective TV countermeasure,” said a person involved in a wide-ranging TV show.

Even if a complaint is filed with the BPO, it remains to be seen whether the matter will be discussed. However, it seems certain that it has served as a certain “deterrent” to the TV industry.