Chapter 1 Report compiled by the Panel of Experts on Young People and Broadcasting 1 Enhancement of Broadcast Programs for Young People Through both sound and vision, broadcast programs have a significant impact on peoples' reasoning and sensitivities in fields of journalism, education, culture, art, entertainment, etc. Much is expected of broadcasting's role in deepening peoples' knowledge and understanding, promoting aesthetic sensitivity, enriching people's lives as well as contributing to the sound and healthy growth of young people. In particular, broadcasters are expected to provide high-quality programs that can respond to the various needs of young people during their different stages of growth and development. Programs should not merely stir or excite the youth, but inspire them to contribute in various ways to society and help build a well-balanced character. In this respect, broadcasters intend to take the following steps to enhance broadcasting; 1) upgrade broadcast programs for young people; 2) set broadcasting duration targets (e.g. at least three hours per week) for programs that can be beneficial to the young; and etc. At the same time, it is also desirable that efforts be made to weed out material in other programs that could harm young people's sound and healthy growth. Listening to young people, considering the opinions of experts, and allocating staff exclusively to programs for young people are necessary in order to produce TV programs for young people. There are also opinions that young people should be able to participate in the planning of such programs and appear and assert themselves in these. Discussions also should examine how to use broadcast programs in educational institutions and the opportunity should be taken to exchange opinions with relevant organizations. Policy of each organization (summary) [NHK] NHK is addressing the concerns of young people, who tend to be sensitive, by further developing TV programs that help to enrich the hearts and minds of young people and give them dreams. NHK has extended its late-night broadcasting hours on the NHK Educational TV Channel to create a time slot called "School Broadcast Library" which is designed exclusively for the recording and use of programs at school in addition to its day-time service of school broadcasting. [NAB] NAB will recommend that among the TV programs preferred by young people each commercial broadcaster broadcast programs which help to spread knowledge, understanding and foster aesthetic sensitivity at least three hours a week and they specify the titles of such programs. [NHK & NAB] NHK and NAB will produce and air special programs for young people with such common themes as the relationship between young people and the media, which will provide materials for discussion from a broader range of perspectives. 2 Improvement of media literacy The ability to select media, interpret the meaning of messages from the media and communicate one's own ideas on these massages, which we call "media literacy", is indispensable if good relations between young people and broadcasting are to be maintained and the capacity of young people to decide by themselves widened. Since the concept of the media literacy is not yet widely understood by the general public in Japan, it is necessary to stress the importance of "media literacy". Broadcasters are therefore expected to take the lead in spreading information and enlightening the public on media literacy to the people nationwide through broadcasting. In this respect, broadcasters will air TV programs which introduce how other countries including Canada are improving media literacy in their own countries and also air TV programs which encourage activities related to improving media literacy in Japan. In order to enable people to know how TV functions and how TV programs are made, broadcasters will provide opportunities to experience program production and make their videotapes on media literacy accessible to schools, etc. In order to promote the dissemination of media literacy it is important to cooperate with educational organizations by implementing activities such as introduction of media literacy education in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools and in programs for social education such as lifelong education. Taking these viewpoints into consideration the Ministry of Posts and Telecommnications in its administrative role will organize a study group on media literacy this fiscal year comprising educators, persons of learning and experience, and officials from relevant administrative agencies. The study group will examine issues such as the direction to go of media literacy and the government's role to play. Policy of each organization (summary) [NHK] NHK will air programs that help viewers learn more about the media and the relationship between the media and the audience, and also air programs on media literacy campaigns being carried out in other countries. Access to videotapes for schools will be further promoted. NHK will provide opportunities for people to experience program production. [NAB] NAB will produce and member broadcasters will air programs that help children and young people grasp the characteristics of television and program content, as well as foster young people's ability to judge. NAB will make efforts to broadly utilize programs in cooperation with the National Congress of Parents and Teachers Association of Japan and other relevant organizations. [MPT] MPT will organize a study group on media literacy during the current fiscal year. The study group will be comprised of educators, persones of learning and experience, and officials from relevant administrative agencies. 3 Promotion of research on young people and broadcasting In order to adequately respond to the issues of young people and broadcasting in the future, it is essential to continue survey by means of questionnaires and other methods directed at both young people and their guardians on how young people watch TV, and the effect that broadcasting can have on the young. It is hoped that universities and research institutes will contribute to this research on young people and broadcasting since such reseach requires technical approaches on a variety of themes. It is important that researchers in various fields not only implement research individually but also cooperate with one another. Furthermore, depending on the topic of study, long-term observations at a fixed point may be required. Promotion of this research will be important, since Japan has not conducted much research and study to date. Broadcasters will conduct studies at their own research institutes, and also support researth conducted at research institutes in universities and other organizations. The Government will conduct research and study with the cooperation of research institutes and other organizations and continue to investigate the measures taken in foreign countries regarding the issue of young people. Policy of each organization (summary) [NHK] NHK will continue conducting public survey and studies on the influence of television on children, and the relationship between people and the media. NHK will assist universities and research institutes in studying the media's impact on young people. [NAB] The commercial broadcasters together with NHK as the broadcasting industry will entrust universities and other institutions to conduct advanced long-term research over periods of three to five years. NAB is going to conduct research on what broadcast programs or what specific scenes in programs would affect children and young people's behaviour and way of thinking. [MPT] MPT will cooperate with research institutes at universities and other institutions to conduct research on the issue of young people and broadcasting. MPT will research the situation of measures taken in foreign countries regarding the issue of young people in the field of broadcasting. 4 Utilization of third-party organizations and others Interaction between broadcasters and viewers is an important aspect of developing the culture of broadcasting, therefore a system that reflects viewers' opinions and evaluations of broadcast programs which to date has mainly been left in the hands of broadcasters themselves should be considered. But, from now on, it is hoped that a third-party organization will be established to strengthen the mutual trust between viewers and broadcasters and to provide viewers with easier access to broadcasters. Some panel members have suggested that such a role could be played by existing bodies such as the Commission for Better Broadcast Programs(*) for improving broadcast program content and the Broadcast and Human Rights/Other Related Rights Organization for protecting those rights. On the other hand, other members have suggested that a new organization be established voluntarily by broadcasters as a means of maintaining their autonomy. Taking those suggestions into account, broadcasters will establish a committee to deal with the issues of young people and broadcasting in the Commission for Better Broadcast Programs to enable the third-party organization to begin its work by utilizing existing know-how. The committee will accept opinions, suggestions and complaints about TV programs from viewers and release the content of committee meetings, activities and the reaction of broadcasters to such opinions, etc. from viewers to the public as well. Concerning the functions and management methods of the proposed new body, various opinions such as issuing recommendations to broadcasters were presented. Therefore thorough consideration should be given by broadcasting without delay by gathering opinions of informed persons, parents guardians,etc. In addition, the existing Consultative Organization on Broadcast Program of each broadcaster is expected to continue to play an active role. Policy of each organization (summary) [NHK and NAB] NHK and NAB will set up an autonomous body tentatively named "the Committee on Young People and Broadcasting" in the Commission for Better Broadcast Programs with the aims of providing a link between viewers and broadcasters. The committee will be made up of experts, viewers, etc. and will accept comments and complaints from viewers on TV programs. It will hold discussions if necessary, and announce its activities and the responses, etc. from broadcasters. NHK and NAB will set up a preparatory committee without delay to establish the new body by April 2000 after the Panel of Experts on Young People and Broadcasting is concluded. *The Commission for Better Broadcast Programs is a voluntary organization that was jointly established by NHK and NAB with the objective of fostering broadcasting ethics and the development and improvement of "broadcasting culture". It manages the Broadcasters Council for Better Programming (which holds periodical discussions on the problems of TV programs and on what is the ideal TV programs.), and also gathers audience feedback, holds symposia, and carries out research and studies of various kinds. 5 Consideration of broadcast time It is hoped that, when drawing up schedules, broadcasters will air high-quality programs made for young people at the times many young people watch TV, taking into consideration the positive these type of programs have on young people. It is also desirable that TV programs with sexually explicit or violent scenes not be aired during such broadcast times. Broadcast times for young people are already fixed in many major countries. It may be beneficial for Japan to introduce such measures. On the other hand, the fact that recently junior high and high school students watch TV at adult viewing times, and on top of that video viewing is widespread, means that there is almost no separation of the viewing times between the young and adults. Since fixing the broadcast times only is not enough to protect young people, broadcasters are expected to consider other broadcast times than those allocated for young people. Taking these opinions into consideration, NHK plans to air high-quality TV programs which NHK will recommend young people to watch during the times young people are most likely to watch TV. On the other hand, NAB has already added a clause to its Broadcasting Standards stipulating that members shall give due consideration to children and young people when planning broadcast times as a response to the proposals presented by "The Study Group for Research on Young People and Broadcasting". Based on this standard, NAB will fix specific broadcast times of between 17:00-21:00 for viewing during which children and young people can watch TV without being exposed to undesirable material. However, it is necessary for broadcasters to keep to the program standards set by each individual broadcaster, by making efforts to avoid inappropriate depictions and expressions even in other broadcast times as well. It is hoped that broadcasters will take these aspects into consideration. Policy of each organization (summary) [NHK] NHK will strive to air high-quality programs for young people at the times that young people are likely to watch television. (ex) NHK set aside the 18:00-19:00 hour slot as a "Youth Hour", following the 16:00-18:00 hour slot of "Time for Children and Mothers" for younger children. [NAB] By inserting a clause (Article 18) in its Broadcasting Standards of "Careful consideration shall be given to the children and juvenile watching / listening the program at each broadcasting time". NAB has prescribed that due consideration be given to when TV programs with sexual or violent scenes are broadcast. In addition, NAB has fixed a specific broadcast time of between 17:00-21:00pm for young people and will inform member broadcasters accordingly. 6 Improvement in provision system of program information Broadcasting, and Television in particular, can transmit domestic and international information to viewers instantaneously, which means that even images and sounds unsuitable for young people can be part of this information. As a consequence young people may be unwittingly exposed to such materials. Broadcasters are therefore expected to inform viewers at the beginning of programs by displaying program content on the screen, or provide prior notification by means of other media of their intention in making the programs. With respect to methods of informing viewers at the beginning of programs, some members suggested that display of symbols to denote the content would be appropriate. But at the present stage, as it is difficult to decide a common standard in evaluating or classifying TV programs, it is advisable for each broadcaster to voluntarily display descriptive notification based on their own judgement to convey the precise intention of the program to viewers. Taking these opinions into consideration, broadcasters will display descriptive notification at the beginning of programs or provide information in advance by such means as publicity programs, teletext, etc. on the contents of programs with inappropriate scenes for young people and of those which are to be recommended to be viewed by young people. In addition, broadcasters will provide precise information on program content by other media means, i.e. the internet homepage of each broadcaster, newspapers, magazines, TV guide magazines, etc. As the introduction of digital broadcasting in the future will make it possible to transmit vast amounts of information, more detailed information on TV programs can be provided to viewers by such measures of as Electronic Program Guide (EPG) systems. Therefore it is necessary to study the best way of providing information utilizing EPG. Policy of each organization (summary) [NHK] NHK will use publicity programs to inform viewers in advance about the content of forthcoming programs. NHK will also use newpapers, magazines, TV guide magazines, as well as the internet and other media to keep viewers informed of program content [NAB] NAB is going to inform viewers of necessary information in advance on programs by means of on-screen notification or publicity programs. NAB is also going to use the internet, TV guide magazines, etc. to keep people informed of more precise information on program contents. NAB will also study the possibility of providing more detailed information which will be made possible through digitalization. 7 V-Chip According to the proposals presented by "the Study Group for Research on Young People and Broadcasting", common ground must be found between viewers and broadcasters in the evaluation of program content prior to consideration of the V-chip. No such common ground has been reached to date. It is considered appropriate that further consideration and investigation be conducted, taking into account the progress of enforcement of these proposals described in the report as well as the advances being made in digital technology, etc. As presented in these proposals, it is important to understand to what extent the proposed policies for young people have been realized. Also further investigation should be conducted including collecting information on the trend of digital technology and the situation relating to the V-Chip in other countries. As for the V-Chip, it may be desirable that a nationwide discussion be held not only in the field of broadcasting but in every possible area from every point of view, including the issue of freedom of expression.