Translating into Español. The English version is shown until it is ready.
Hyogo prefecture bars freelance journalist Kan Kanno from governor’s press conference
En breve
Hyogo Prefecture said on Oct. 6 that it will not allow freelance journalist and writer Kan Kanno to attend Governor Motohiko Saito’s regular press conference on Oct. 7. Kanno was banned by the prefectural press club after telling Saito at a June press conference «人殺しやないか», a ban the club lifted in late August. The club has asked the governor to reconsider his decision not to admit a specific reporter.
Leer la noticia completa 1 min de lectura
Hyogo Prefecture said on Oct. 6 that it will not allow the freelance journalist and writer Kan Kanno to attend Governor Motohiko Saito’s regular press conference on Oct. 7, according to Sankei Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun. The prefecture said it notified Kanno of its intention by telephone that day. Kanno had attended as a freelance journalist, Nishi-Nippon reported. [ 1 , 3 ]
The decision follows a remark Kanno made to Saito at a press conference in June, described in both Sankei and Nishi-Nippon as «人殺しやないか». Sankei dates the exchange to June 3; Nishi-Nippon says only that it took place at the June conference. Sankei reported that Saito sought a retraction and filed a criminal defamation complaint against Kanno with Hyogo Prefectural Police’s Ikuta Station, which was accepted. [ 1 , 3 ]
The prefectural press club, which co-hosts the conference with the prefecture, barred Kanno the day after the remark, Sankei reported. After multiple discussions and the submission of a written pledge, the club decided in late August to lift the ban, so that he could attend from Oct. 7, both Sankei and Nishi-Nippon reported. The club said: «特定の記者の参加を認めないという知事の判断について再考を求める», asking the governor to reconsider his decision not to admit a specific reporter. [ 1 , 3 ]
The conference is normally held every Wednesday, and attendance by freelance reporters is decided by the press club under criteria it sets, according to both outlets. Sankei reported that the prefecture said it weighed the situation comprehensively in light of Saito’s intentions; Nishi-Nippon quoted the prefecture as citing inappropriate and irregular remarks and the smooth operation of the conference, in text that was partially cut off. Kanno said of the prefecture’s move: «言論の自由の根源に関わるような話だ» — that it concerns the root of freedom of speech. [ 1 , 3 ]
Por qué importa
The case sets a prefecture’s decision to exclude a named journalist against the press club’s own decision to readmit him, and the club has publicly asked the governor to reconsider. Kanno describes the move as a matter touching freedom of speech, and Sankei reports the governor has also filed a criminal defamation complaint. How the standoff is resolved will shape how freelance reporters access a governor’s regular briefings in Hyogo.
Datos clave
- Hyogo Prefecture announced on Oct. 6 that Kan Kanno, a freelance journalist and writer, will not be allowed to attend Governor Motohiko Saito’s regular press conference on Oct. 7. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Kanno made a remark to Saito described as «人殺しやないか» at a press conference in June; Sankei gives the date as June 3, while Nishi-Nippon says only that it was in June. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The prefectural press club banned Kanno the day after the remark, then decided in late August to lift the ban from Oct. 7 after discussions and the submission of a written pledge. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The press club said it asks for reconsideration of the governor’s decision not to allow a specific reporter to take part. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The conference is normally held every Wednesday and is co-hosted by the prefecture and the press club; participation of freelance reporters is decided by the club under its own criteria. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Saito sought a retraction and filed a criminal defamation complaint against Kanno with Hyogo Prefectural Police’s Ikuta Station, which was accepted, according to Sankei. [ 1 ]
- Kanno said the prefecture’s decision is «言論の自由の根源に関わるような話だ» — a matter that touches the root of freedom of speech. [ 1 ]
Confirmado por varias fuentes
- Hyogo Prefecture said it will not allow the freelance journalist, identified by Nishi-Nippon and Tokyo Shimbun as Kan Kanno, to attend Governor Saito’s press conference. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Kanno made a remark described as «人殺しやないか» to Saito at a June press conference. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The prefectural press club had barred Kanno and later decided to allow him to attend from Oct. 7, and it has asked the governor to reconsider his decision. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The press conference is co-hosted by the prefecture and the press club, and freelance reporters’ attendance is judged by the club under its criteria. [ 1 , 3 ]
Aún sin aclarar
- The exact date of the June press conference at which Kanno made the remark. Only Sankei states June 3; Nishi-Nippon says only that it happened in June, so the precise date rests on a single source.
- The prefecture’s full stated grounds for excluding Kanno. Sankei says the prefecture cited Saito’s intentions and «状況を総合的に勘案した», while Nishi-Nippon’s account of the prefecture’s explanation — citing inappropriate and irregular remarks and smooth operation of the conference — is cut off in the available text.
- The status and outcome of the criminal defamation complaint against Kanno. Only Sankei reports the complaint and its acceptance; no document says what has happened since.
- How Kanno is described. Sankei calls him a male freelance reporter without naming him; Nishi-Nippon names him as the writer Kan Kanno, who sought to attend as a freelance journalist.
Qué dicen los medios locales
Cronología, hora local
- At a regular press conference in June, Kanno tells Governor Saito «人殺しやないか», according to Sankei and Nishi-Nippon; Sankei dates it June 3. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The prefectural press club decides to bar Kanno for the time being, the day after the remark, Sankei reports. [ 1 ]
- After multiple discussions and the submission of a written pledge, the press club decides in late August to lift the ban, with attendance possible from Oct. 7, according to Sankei and Nishi-Nippon. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Sankei Shimbun reports that Hyogo Prefecture told Kanno by telephone that he would not be allowed to attend the Oct. 7 press conference. [ 1 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun publishes a headline reporting that Kanno will not be allowed to attend the Hyogo governor’s press conference. [ 2 ]
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reports the prefecture’s decision and the press club’s request that the governor reconsider. [ 3 ]