Debates continue over whether major Okinawan newspapers function as neutral media or align with activism. Coverage of U.S. bases, reporting on China’s threat, and involvement in international advocacy raise questions about journalistic balance and media positioning in Okinawa.

Their footing is not in reporting as journalistic institutions but clearly alongside activists.
2018-01-16.
The following continues from the previous chapter.
Arimoto.
In other words, newspapers join activists in attacking people like Mr. Yoda.
Those who call themselves the Ryukyuan people.
Ganaha.
Their footing is not in reporting as media organizations but clearly alongside activists.
Arimoto.
Across the country, including national and regional papers, there are many problematic newspapers, but the abnormality of these two Okinawan papers does not easily reach the mainland.
There are few opportunities to read them.
Even granting a hundred steps, even if the two Okinawan papers write highly biased articles about U.S. bases, balance might still be achieved if they reported China’s threat with equal intensity.
How is that aspect?.
Ganaha.
They hardly report on China’s threat at all.
On the contrary, they try to stop narratives from spreading such as “we must prepare for North Korea’s nuclear missiles” or “Chinese warships are approaching and it is dangerous.”
They write editorials and articles claiming “China has no choice but to respond because Japan provokes,” or they interview people presented as ordinary citizens.
There is considerable circumstantial evidence.
For example, two years ago when Governor Takeshi Onaga went to the United Nations, the editorial bureau chief of the Ryukyu Shimpo accompanied him and spoke at a symposium.
At that time, a newspaper editorial chief openly spoke about “breaking away from colonial status.”
Hyakuta.
Even though it is not a colony (laughs).
Arimoto.
I was very surprised when Governor Onaga went to the United Nations.
First, I was surprised at how poor his English was (laughs).
To be continued.