[MIC] A Summary of the Future Vision and Modality of the Broadcasting System in the Digital Age

On June 24, 2022, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) released the "Summary of the Future Vision and Modality of Broadcasting in the Digital Age (draft)."

With the rapid progress of digitalization in society as a whole in the backdrop of the spread of broadband infrastructure and the diversification of terminals such as smartphones, on November 8, 2021, the MIC established the "Study Group on the Modality of Broadcasting in the Digital Age". (Chairperson: Hitoshi Mitomo, Professor, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University) to discuss the future vision and the modality of the broadcasting system from a medium- to long-term perspective and released the outcome of their discussion as the Summary.

The draft report is 389 pages in total, but the main text is 55 pages long.

The table of contents is as follows.

Introduction

Chapter 1: Changes in the Broadcasting Environment

1. The prevalence of broadband

2. The growing video distribution services via the Internet and the diversification of viewing devices

3. Changes in viewing styles and the "shift away from TV"

4. Trends in the advertising market

5. Accelerated population decline

6. Wrap-up of Chapter 1

Chapter 2: Significance and Role of Broadcasting in the Digital Age

1. The role that broadcasting has played

2. The role that broadcasting should play

3. Wrap-up of chapter 2

Chapter 3: Future Vision of Broadcasting Network Infrastructure

1. Consideration of a "shared use model"

2. Replacement of small-scale relay stations with broadband, etc.

3. Wrap-up of chapter 3

Chapter 4: Distribution of broadcast content via the Internet

1. Current status, (1) Efforts by commercial broadcasters, (2) Efforts by NHK, (3) Efforts by platformers, (4) Efforts by broadcasters, (4) Revision of the Copyright Act

2. Issues

3. Future direction

4. Wrap-up of chapter 4

Chapter 5: Broadcasting System in the Digital Age

1. Review of the principle of excluding multiple ownership of the media

2. Standardization of broadcast programs in multiple broadcasting areas

3. Flexible entry system for the "shared use model"

4. Institutional responses for replacing small relay stations with broadband, etc.

5. Institutional positioning of NHK's Internet-based operations

6. Wrap-up of Chapter 5.

Conclusion

Regarding accessibility for persons with disabilities, the attached summary of the working team includes the following statement entitled "Ensuring user accessibility."

Broadcasting plays a familiar and convenient role in obtaining information that residents, including children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, can view in many local areas with simple operations. In addition, broadcasters are working on expanding information accessibility in broadcasting for the visually and hearing impaired, such as commentary broadcasting and subtitling, in accordance with the provisions of the Broadcast Act.

This Summary (draft) is open for comments from Wednesday, June 29, 2022, to Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

For more information, please visit the website below.
https://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/01ryutsu07_02000233.html

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