The Study On American Control Over Japanese Media,1945-1952

During World War II,Strict control of the domestic public opinion during wartime Japanese military government also extended to the realms of the newspaper and broadcasting.After Japan's surrender ending World War II,the "Freedom of Press and Speech" directive and the "Bill of Rights" had been issued by the US Government in Japan.The US Government had lifted Japanese government domination over media of expression.Supreme Commander for the Allied Power(SCAP)was further directed to establish limited freedom of speech in Japan.Meanwhile,the US Government had issued "Press and Pre-censorship Codes" outlawing the publication of all reports to the objectives of the Occupation.After ushering in the U.S.-led Occupation,what were the main sources of American control over Japanese Media?The main sources which were security of military occupation,elimination of militarism,achieving the objectives of the occupation.However,with the intensification of the cold war in East Asia,American policy on Japan changed from ideological transformation to revival of Japan.The United States would be on guard against any Soviet Communist forces that might infiltrated Japan.This change in policy was neatly illustrated that US Government strictly controlled over left-wing media.Censorship would continue throughout the Occupation.Not only did SCAP forbid criticism of the United States,or militarism,but the propaganda of communism was forbidden.The U.S.instituted a number of measures to dominate over the publication and radio.These include the closure of the news,censorship,political purge.America had achieved notable progress in domination over Japanese media.First of all,The United States had guaranteed the security of the military occupation in Japan.,massive media coverage tended to be pro-American.Criticism of the United States andmilitarism were forbidden in Japan.On the other end of the scale,American was highly praised by the Japanese media.Secondly,the United States urged The Nihon Shinbun Kyokai to formulate a positive "Canon of Journalism".Thirdly,the United States had weakened the influence of the Communist Party of Japan in public opinion.Finally,American control over Japanese media had a negative impact on the Japanese press.The censorship of the United States delayed the immediate release of news.This incident triggered dissatisfaction in the Japanese public opinion.