Ernest Schaal wrote:

> Does anyone here believe NHK's professed claims that Asahi Shinbun libeled
> them by printing allegations that NHK bowed to political pressure in
> censoring a program on the Emperor's role in war crimes?
>
> Didn't they profess innocence in the embezzlement scandal too?

NHK admitted they bowed to the pressure at their own press conference last
week, and some government official has made his own comments, so at least,
accounts of influence do not seem untrue.

The real question is just how much influence do the government or publisher's
political agendas have on media, because media influence has a profound
influence on public perceptions, particularly here.