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On November 13, 2020, the Okinawa Prefectural Police suspected Hideki Makishi (45), a former employee of the local Okinawan newspaper “Okinawa Times”, of illegally receiving a 1 million yen national sustainability benefit for measures against the new corona virus. ) He was arrested on suspicion of fraud. Admit the charges. Each medium reported.
The Okinawa Times also reported on its own, but the web version of the article was anonymous because there was a risk that the parties would be harmed or harmed. Readers argue over the answer.
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From the official Twitter of the Okinawa Times
“Extremely serious situation”
According to the Okinawa Times, Makishi was suspected of receiving 1 million yen by claiming benefits with false information from June to July when he was working for the company.
In an internal interview survey, he falsely declared “Sundries Furima” in the occupation column of the application form and revealed that he had illegally borrowed 200,000 yen for emergency funds for small lots and 600,000 yen for comprehensive support funds in addition to benefits. .
Makishi also instructed 26 members of the investment group he represents to receive fraudulent payments, saying, “From there (including those who have not spoken directly), the total number may have stretched to around 130 to 150 people. I didn’t. I know. “
Although he did not receive a referral fee, he said, “I urged those who were directly referring to invest about half of the profits. (In return) I made a profit of over 1 million yen from the virtual currency dividend.”
The Okinawa Times fired Makishi, who was the section chief of the General Affairs Office, as a disciplinary measure on October 8. A “Times Printing” employee in his thirties who was invited by a suspect to illegally borrow a small amount of money was also penalized and fired.
The day after Makishi’s arrest, the company said in an editorial: “The newspaper is based on a relationship of trust with the reader. It is a very serious situation that shakes the foundations of its existence, disappointing the reader’s expectations and significantly damaging the trust”. We sincerely apologize for this “and promise to avoid a repeat.
Name announcement, judgment is divided by each company
The unauthorized receipt of sustainable benefits and support funds is occurring across the country. In a Sept. 12 web article, the Okinawa Times reported on the severity of the problem, saying: “Asian girls and foreigners constantly circulate in the tax accountant’s office in the ‘procession’ of the fraudulent cabaret club benefiting the crown”.
The Makishi case could lead to a full-scale fraud case. After the arrest, many of the major media web versions under their real names, and “FNN Prime Online” (Fuji TV) and “TBS NEWS” also use facial images.
Ryukyu Asahi Broadcasting (TV Asahi) and Ryukyu Broadcasting (TBS) are the real names in the major local media. Okinawa TV Broadcasting (Fuji TV), Ryukyu Shinpo and Okinawa Times were considered anonymous and by the company (polled on the 15th, all web articles).
On November 14, the Okinawa Times published an article titled “Explanation of Anonymous Reports on the Internet”, explaining why Makishi became anonymous.
In principle, the newspaper reports on real names, but incident and accident reports are based on real names on paper and anonymous on websites.
“On the Internet, once published, the information is spread and published for a long time, and it is difficult to erase everything. In some cases, after reporting the suspect with his real name in the arrest, he may not be accused or innocent at trial Staying online for a long time after the expiration of the sentence may cause inconvenience and inconvenience to the parties, in recent years some complaints of “right to be forgotten” have been accepted.
On the other hand, it is observed that there are cases in which the cases and accidents of public officials such as politicians and celebrities are reported by their real names in online articles. In addition, “serious incidents such as murders, continuous rapes, fires and participation of children that have a great impact on society, like many victims, will be considered.
“Based on these characteristics on the Internet, we have not published a photo of the suspect’s face in principle when reporting incidents and accidents. Based on this basic policy, regarding the arrest of our former employee this time, It is an anonymous report in the net “.
Opinions that express mistrust on the Internet about the journalistic attitude of the Okinawa Times, such as “Isn’t that kind of answer a double standard in the world?” “I can no longer use the word ‘sweet with my relatives’ on paper.” Stand out.
Discussions in the past about real names and anonymous reports
Regarding the pros and cons of the real name and anonymous reporting, there was a recent debate during the Kyoto Animation arson murder case that occurred in July 2019. Although many grieving families have asked not to reveal their names, some Media reports have drawn criticism from the press.
In June 2008, the Japan Newspaper Association, which is a member of television stations and newspaper companies in Tokyo, issued a statement saying: “Agreement to avoid blocking of media.” In principle, the real name is used because the real name is the core of the fact and is essential for accurate information. It is to enhance the veracity and attractiveness of the report and to contribute to the public interest, and the victim is irreplaceable. There is also a meaning to show that it does not exist, “he said, noting the importance of reporting the victims of the incident / accident with their real names.
In cases involving media and misconduct, when Hirotsugu Kurokawa, the former head of the Tokyo High Inspection, gambled mahjong with employees of Sankei Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun, and when a reporter from Tokyo Shimbun interviewed an employee of the Ministry of Health, Work and Well-being. The problem of violent acts such as yelling was also questioned by the “anonymous” response.
