A renewed international focus; concern over political interference

Japan: New NHK president promises enhanced international presence & solid finances

An enhanced international presence and more secure funding are the priorities for NHK’s new president. The commitments were outlined in President Inoue Tatsuhiko’s first press conference since coming into the role on 25 January. 

Amidst rapid changes in the global media industry, “whether or not an organisation can consistently produce high-quality content directly impacts its value as a public media outlet,” he said. “I believe that the key to NHK’s sustainability lies in dramatically strengthening our content development, dissemination, and international expansion capabilities.” For NHK, he said this would mean taking “an even more aggressive approach than before to developing new IP and intellectual property, linking digital with broadcasting, and developing programs from a global perspective.” 

Inoue also spoke about shoring up NHK’s financial situation. Last year, NHK posted a 40 billion yen deficit due to a shortfall in licence fee payments. However, he said they were on track to breakeven by FY 2027, and said they have made progress in reducing operating expenses, while they are also hoping to “curb the increase in unpaid receiving [licence] fees”. However, while other public broadcasters consider a move away from such a model, Inoue said he still felt it is “the best system for NHK as a public broadcaster to fulfill its role of delivering accurate, fair and impartial information to a wide variety of people nationwide, without being influenced by specific interests or viewer ratings.” It comes after the launch of NHK One – an internet-based domestic online platform which costs the same as the receiving fee – in September 2025, as a device-independent system of ensuring users pay for NHK services. 

Inoue was an internal appointment to NHK. He previously served as vice president, and also headed the political news division. He will serve a three-year term. 

Read more >>

Belgium: Media minister “regrets” implications of political interference over appointments

The Francophone media minister has faced criticism after she welcomed the forthcoming departure of RTBF’s longstanding CEO and the director of news, and strongly indicated she would use the new appointments to bring a different editorial line to the independent public service broadcaster. 

On 13 January, during a meeting of activists from the liberal-conservative party MR, the minister Jacqueline Galant welcomed the imminent departure of the two senior RTBF officials. “We hope that with these two changes we can bring a slightly different (editorial) line, one that will go to the other side of the political spectrum,” she said. “It’s time for a change. These people have been there for too long. A system has become entrenched.” 

However, the comments triggered a reaction from RTBF, as well as journalists groups and political opposition. In a statement, the public broadcaster said “We accept criticism and public debate, but we refuse any form of interference. We condemn any statement that undermines the editorial independence of the public broadcaster, whether in terms of its structure, its missions, its values, or its staff.” Her comments were also criticised by the Belgian journalists’ union as well as the Minister-President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. However, the president of her party said she had nothing to apologise for, and also called for a parliamentary commission into public broadcasting. 

In the days after, Galant said she “regrets the controversy” and would “respect … the legal requirements and the internal procedures of RTBF” which govern the appointments process.  

Read more >>

Bangladesh: Proposals for new media & broadcasting commission met with concern

The interim government has announced proposals to create two separate regulatory bodies to oversee media policy in Bangladesh – a media commission and a broadcasting commission – but the move has been criticised by journalist groups. 

The broadcasting commission will be made up of five individuals, including three from the government (the cabinet secretary, the information ministry secretary, and a third secretary) as well as two individuals with 15 years of experience in broadcasting. The commission will be responsible for creating and overseeing broadcasting policy as well as broadcasting licences and have the power to issue fines and revoke licences. 

Meanwhile, the directive for the media commission proposes a nine-person commission, including a chair. At least one woman and one member of an ethnic minority must be included. Two journalists with 20 years experience, one professor in media, and the cabinet secretary must be included, and it would be led by a judge. The media commission is intended to be a self-regulatory body for the media, upholding professional standards. 

Both directives appear to be an attempt from the interim government to follow up on the Media Reform Commission, established by the interim government after the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina administration. However, none of the recommendations have yet been fulfilled. The proposals have been met with concern from some. The Editors’ Council said they threaten media independence, and said such policies should wait until after an elected government has come into power, with Bangladesh due to hold elections later this month. Article 19 meanwhile expressed concern about the rushed timetable to push the proposals through, with only three days provided for feedback, while the actual proposal “lacks transparency and due process and risks undermining freedom of expression.” Both commissions would be under “direct government control”, the advocacy organisation said. 

Read more >>

Argentina: Two extensions and counting – government continues intervention in public media

The Argentinian government has once again extended its intervention into the country’s public media, prolonging its oversight of Radio y Televisión Argentina (RTA) and Contenidos Artísticos e Informativos SAU until February 2027. Initially introduced in February 2024 for an initial one-year period, the measure was designed to give the government powers to reform the organisations. It was first extended in 2025, and now, the government said the latest renewal is justified by pointing to the Executive Board’s assessment of the progress made in the broadcasters’ reorganisation process.

Carlos María Curci González has been confirmed to continue leading the intervention, arguing that additional time is needed to complete ongoing restructuring efforts and to strengthen the “operational capabilities” of broadcasters. 

The extension, however, has sparked strong criticism from journalists, who accused the government of undermining the independence and democratic value of public media. They argue that the administration failed to engage in discussions about improving broadcasters and the importance of their role in a democratic society, pointing to the shutdown of public news agency Télam as evidence of a wider rollback of media plurality in Argentina.

Read more >>