A Study of Guidel

OKAMOTO Takashi

On July 22, 2003,Mosul connected ttwo eldest sons, U.S. Department odied in a hail ofrelease of the piextremely brutal this way was an eSaddam Hussein's cast the picturesOn July 25, moreoWestern and Arab footage was broad

War Reporting in Whenever footage ously been broadcthe U.S. governmemaintaining that tive to the Treatrefrain from carrtroops being dragcarried by televiU.S. public opinihave proved the dfrom Somalia. Foomous impact on poFootage broadcastthe bodies of U.Selicited strong ctelevision statio

casualties in thesense to refrain various reactionsthe issue.It seems there wathe handling of phowever, as to hoporations, nothinClearly defined pworld of U.S. broappropriate broadattempts to introultimately run agcould function in

Diversity in the There was wide ditribution of the early on the 25thOn the morning ofMorning Japan],whseven o'clock newtures of the two report to facts rtures themselves tures.Asahi National Brbroadcast the reler,as to why the or criteria of juFor News 23,a prowas shown of a tebroadcasting the of why it had notfootage."Following the firwhich it was annowhom were possiblsion stations repidence in Mosul.

killing the brothqualms or restraiand Qusay had beefootage of a shooindividuals, Udayexpress purpose oinherent brutalitfalling far shortby the media. Thebodies perhaps prmake up for thesethe opportunity wThere was yet greof the Asahi, Yomtion) on the 25thpictures of the bThe Mainichi and the bodies in theThe Mainichi princhest, but did noed to carry the prights or their pture of Qusay, userably more attengiven in the Sankhowever, the artiment of the issuewho had urged cauconcerns as theirfact that the U.Simages of U.S. tr

Broadcasting StanIn Japanese televBroadcasters (NABProgram Standardsapplied to daily When NHK devised "basic principles

1) To contribute fare of humankind2) To respect funlishment of the s3) To aim for theand morals, and t4) To contribute itage and to the 5) Maintaining ouexpectations and

While NHK's Progrthese basic princples, "General BrProgramming by Cagoals, with the frights, dignity, "Politics and ecocy," and "Terms agories of programStandards for proing to these variOn the other handbroadcasting is cculture, and the the realization o

1) Fast and accur2) Sound entertai3) Promotion of c4) Favorable infl5) Moderate and h

Based on these baexplained under vnews broadcastingHowever, neither Standards includematters related tno clear regulatiup footage of cap

Irrespective of timaginable kind ovirtually twenty-selective decisiofor the news, whecombatants, in pra case-by-case baIn the case of NHand the bodies ofthe nine guidelinturn, the eleventProgram Standardsfeelings of fear,tality and physicproportion."Commercial broadcaccordance with t"detailed represereporting of such"Excessively detadiscomfort to theuse of such scenetion of the potenand of the human lies."Following the outmilitaries, NHK rerations of humanbodies of combatafootage was adjudbe made.Naturally, when oreasons behind waconfrontation oveappreciation of cis clear that waring and program sJapanese televisiGuidelines used bconsiderable atte

BBC War ReportingThe Argentine milto all-out war bebroadcasting of tthe BBC adopted atroops," rather tconsistently usindemned and attackNevertheless, the1991 and the Iraqreporting. The foguidelines, exami

Aims and RationalThe war guidelineBBC's role and ma

When the country ing the armed formost sensitive tofamilies. We alsoIt is equally impgreatest during tthey are being tofrom them is just

The guidelines foresponsibilities expectation gener

In the current cospecial responsiband across the wonews and informatthey are being tomake sense of thooffering on our pthe voices of tho

The guidelines fu

Matters involving

utmost regard to will have relativneed to handle pa

The guidelines altaken with sufficties, certain kinpropriate.What is clear herBBC's role in terthe Iraq War makeemphasizing instezation.

Language of ReporThe guidelines foobjective and unethe fact that: "Tsombrely."Further, on the qguidelines state:troops' or to 'oufor the sake of cstate that "it wireason for this gglobally."This emphasis on appear to have lewar reporting thaBBC's broadcastin

Withholding InforBoth sets of guidtion for a while the MoD [Ministrydoing so." Both dof the fact that be broadcast as sRegarding the reastate that: "Thes

The BBC ReportingReporting GuideliGulf War (1991)Reporting GuideliWar (2003)Aims and ratio-nale of the guidelines* To not add to tBritish troops* Trustworthy newtimes of crisis* Necessary to prnews to not only also a worldwide,* Regard for the audience; care inschedulingLanguage ofreporting* Objective and u* Tone important;* Use of "Britishappropriate than * For the sake ofunadorned meaning* Use of "Britishappropriate than * For the sake ofbecause BBC reporcast globallyWithholdinginformation* Information may* These reasons mations* Reasons for thithe caveat that: enemy forces."Scenes of deathand injury* Circumspection tion to the digni* Pictures should* Unusually distr* Reporting of esing reality: * Must be justifisons * An awful truth conveyed vividly* Reporting of esing reality:* Must be justifi* We should not srealities of warCoverage of pris-oners of war* No interviews tservice personnel* Because this ma* Aircrew who migshould not be ideshould any personbe given that migthem

intended operationature of its armsame reasoning, wOf note here is tfor withholding iThe term "enemy" tled "Contributiobutions especiallpredict future covertently help thgraph under the hnot used.The above differetive internationathe adoption or nmony evident in tes against refereconsistency.

Footage of CasualBoth guidelines l

* Care should be dead combatants, als concerned.* Pictures should* The fact that ebefore next-of-ki* Warnings shouldtress.

On the handling oguidelines respecby special reasonshould not sanitiity and pictures No reasons are gi"especially harroing the gap, the on war without coinaccurate repres

horrendous realitappropriate to brto this issue revOn the other handlines prescribe, commencement of hone connected witWe are advised thPoWs because it mreiterate this dicrews in particulmight be capturedshould we publishtify these personFurther to the abdards for interviwar.In addition, the news related to tfor a cautious ap

* Chemical, biolobe careful when r* If we say they * If their use is* The possibility

Reference Value oIn 1925, prior tonizing the potentcommunication minseven issue areasdisturb the maintpertaining to diptions to be applifollowing years lstringent and comAfter the war wasthese bitter expeLaw and following

allied occupationfor the first timStandards are basThe Broadcasting radio and televismust contribute tfare of humankindthe spirit of Japbasic principle oin content.In the case of thof world peace theither the Royal ment based on thethe current Agreestandards have be(1) provide a promatter; (2) servein order to show (3) do not involving or listening gious views and bdenomination (Minthe BBC Royal Chaannual bulletin oAs discussed aboving of NHK, whichciples and prograbroadcasting guiddence over the prrespective historquent and signifiand war. While inDefense Force unidispatched to a cpose of engaging troops to fight iSuez Crisis of 19regional conflict

as the Japanese Sage thereof remaimedia they have bA further explanahas gained considpostwar educationas the majority ohuman rights" areexample, substantattacks.In view of Japan'June 2003, therefforth face an incbegun to ask whetreporting similarHowever, even if parity in levels where war coveragcoverage has thanremain in evidencguidelines are cozation's duty to (accountability).piling safety guiareas. Efforts shand compile guidebe best conveyed,the Program Standworld peace.

(Translated by Ia

Appendix I: BBC G

War Consideration

Likely issues in

When the country forces. Our audiesuffering inflictsensitive to thosIt is equally imptimes of crisis. that whatever inflonger than neces

WITHHOLDING INFOR

We must be preparmilitary authoritreasons for our d

- These reasons afacts can alert ethe nature of therather than all n

- Personal detailbeen told.

- We should be sethe MoD or the op

- We should seek holding it back hhours; some for a

The Ministry of Dbriefings to editReporters and coradvise against cethere are very stReports from the area. Again chang

Disputes can onlyeditors and the M

ACKNOWLEDGING THE

Programmes shouldheld back for mil

- We may wish to

- When significansay that the BBC reasons.

SOURCING REPORTS

Programmes should

- Reporters and chave themselves s

- We will have a evident.- Information fro

CONTRIBUTIONS FRO

Programmes must tretired military options in detailsuch contributioncurrent affairs, Bufton for region

LANGUAGE OF REPOR

The way we reportbe both objectivewithout emotionalwe care.

- Tone matters a

- Too much can bewill usually be aunadorned meaning

- But, as during

and in reports frilluminating pers

- It will often b

CHEMICAL AND BIOL

Chemical and biolreferring to them

- If we say they

- If their use is

- The possibility

SCENES OF DEATH A

We have to be cirdying and dead. Cconcerned, and to

- We should not b

- Pictures should

- Remember too thknow.

- Harrowing actuahave to be convey

- Warning should

Any interviews wiundertaken with tinappropriate anddisorientated or

INTERVIEWS WITH R

Interviews with rdifficulty.

- Bereavement andhide the fact.

- Tearful intervi

- The proper persdistress should nunless there are

- Particular command it is proper

- Our normal guidbadgered for inteintrusive even whon particular griinvolving bereavekeep their distanpictures have bee

OPPOSITION TO WAR

In spite of sensielsewhere) to the

- Those who speakscene to be repor

- We should gauge

- Our treatment hsuppressing legitexpress itself ap

- When we are wittheir own try to back, thus riskinfor before we acc

John Wilson, Jan.

War consideration

The following addthe start of the

CONCERN FOR RELAT

Out of concern foof not announcing

- If we have a rethe MoD before catold.

- If they have we

- If they have noBell (or substitusubstitute) for wradio nca program

- The decision wialready been publoutstanding reaso

We may be asked tinformation publithough next of kirequest.

CASUALTIES: TERMI

When reporting ca

- If we know peopinjured".

- Say "casualties

- We should be thkilled and twenty

John Wilson, 23 J

War consideration

Here's additionalof Gulf casualtie

APPROACHES TO NEX

Any programme wanservice people kiguidance on sensi

- The MoD, either

- If programmes rapplies to approasuch as, say, the

- Direct approachavoided. Exceptio

The BBC has agreeapproaches for inarrangement and tRegional televisiThe BBC is willinWe must not try fpersonnel who may

- We are advised PoWs because it m

John Wilson 25 Fe

Appendix II: BBC

War GuidelinesEditorial Policy

INTRODUCTION

In the current coresponsibility towho turn to us inshould have confiBBC to help them by offering on ouof those who oppoMatters involvingto the mood and fdirectly involvedand with care.Channel and networeview the naturewhich might be th

LANGUAGE OF REPOR

The way we reportbe objective. Ourwhen we are reporfeelings:

* Tone matters a

* For the sake ofespecially as so

SOURCING REPORTS

Reports should nofrom, and be attr

* Reporters and chave not themselv

* We will have a ernments briefingreliability.

* Programmes may governments showicaused by so-callIt may also be wisuch footage has gauge the overall

* Where there is information or pi

* We should be awand on other occagenuine conflict.script the pictur

* When looking foplease be aware osecond source whehas said.

* We should also present or our ab

* Beware of specu

WITHHOLDING INFOR

Whenever possible

* We will be prepmilitary authoritreasons for our dongoing or intendthe nature of itsbe withheld). It reconsidered if t

* We should be sethe MoD or the op

* Great care willMinister or other

ACKNOWLEDGING THE

* Whenever practiinformation has b

* Where we do witseek to give thatSome facts may ha

* If reports havewe should say so.we have done so.

* Normal BBC newsrelevant locationbecome so great aBBC may wish to wchange.

CONTRIBUTIONS FRO

Programmes must tretired military the details or opinadvertently comaccuracy and relimust also ensure

REPORTING CASUALT

The BBC has adoptnext of kin shoulbulletin or websimean withholding the next of kin h

・Any exception tNewsgathering, orKay, or for WorldNetworks and Newsarrangements to c

・Such a decisionbeen published wito publish. In orwithhold for a whhave been told. Wwhere this may noNigel Kay for NatService.

CASUALTIES: TERMI

When reporting ca･If we know peoplinjured".･Say "casualties"･We should be thokilled and twenty

SCENES OF DEATH A

We should be circdead combatants. regardless of nat･Pictures should ･Remember too thanext-of-kin know.･We should not saactuality and pic

･Warnings should Particular care i

Any interviews wiundertaken with cmust try to make shock.

INTERVIEWS WITH R

Interviews with rhandling.

･While the MoD, econtact in relatithey can take thethird parties othgroup or a close

･Direct approacheavoided. Head of

･Audiences are socircumstances undexplanation in thmisunderstandings

･Bereavement and hide the fact. Buconsideration for

･We should not bedwell excessivelyof a media crush camera crews shouediting of such pbelow).

PRISONERS OF WAR

Normally we will service personnelprejudicial to thmust be discussedPolicy.

INTERVIEWING AIR

Current advice isshould not be ideinformation,from details of their home-town addressassit an interrogAny proposal thatreferred in the f

OPPOSITIONTOWAR

Enabling the natiimpartiality stilthe depth and sprUK(and elsewhere)And tested.Those reported as part

WEAPONS OF MASS D

Chemical,biologicCareful when refe･If we say they h

･If their use is

･The possibility

24HOUR NEWS SERVI

Continuous news sDuring a widespreAt times,live or Show scenes of deconsidered editoraudiences will exbut above all thenext-of-kin.With scenes of dethe cumulative efincluded in headlIn fast-moving si

will need to be esource re-cycled

BBCi

These war guideliwhere warnings shupsetting. Care m

Message Boards an

Message boards macould be hijackedHosts of message a time of hostili

Escalation ProcedBBCi already has material is removimportant that thhighest editorial

Stephen Whittle,