True journalistic freedom requires the resolve to lose one’s program or platform at any moment. Without distance from sponsors and sources, reporters risk becoming dependent “pets” of power and information networks. This section explores the relationship between independence, reporting, and the courage to speak freely.

What I repeatedly say on my program is, “We produce this program prepared for it to end today as its final broadcast.”
2018-01-14.
The following continues from the previous chapter.
Reporters becoming “pets.”
Hasegawa.
Some people may think, “This kind of program is troublesome” (laughs).
There must be many bothersome matters involving Tokyo MX Television and sponsors in order to continue broadcasting.
But I deliberately try to keep my distance.
If I get drawn into that, I will lose my freedom.
What I repeatedly say on the program is, “We produce this program prepared for it to end today.”
Everything I want to say is said on today’s program.
Even if it ends today, I do not mind at all.
Without that level of resolve, the real story cannot be conveyed.
When I say this, the staff say, “It would be a problem if it ended” (laughs).
But I do not mind.
That is the difference between my position and that of the staff.
Takayama.
That is true pride.
Hasegawa.
This stance actually applies to my reporting sources as well.
I write columns twice a week now, but I deliberately conduct only minimal reporting.
You often hear that in order to obtain information, you must dine and drink with sources at night.
I think there are both good and bad aspects to that.
If you dine with someone at night, your thinking inevitably becomes influenced by the source.
And once that person becomes an important information source, you begin to take their position and interests into consideration.
That is the beginning of becoming a “pet.”
I think I was the first to say, “Newspaper reporters are pets” (laughs), because most reporters believe that their value lies in obtaining information through reporting.
In fact, when they first start out, they become closely attached to politicians, bureaucrats, and the police.
Why does police reporting mark the beginning of a newspaper reporter’s career?
Because it teaches them to become the other side’s “pet.”
Takayama.
Perhaps you do not need to reduce it that far (laughs).
To be continued.