放送・通信融合 新たなルール整備が必要だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 27, 2009)
New regulatory system needed for airwaves
放送・通信融合　新たなルール整備が必要だ（8月27日付・読売社説）

Through technological innovations, new types of services that are not covered by existing regulations targeting broadcast and communications services have emerged. To make such new "buds" part of the industry's growth strategy, related rules and regulations need to be reviewed.
　技術革新によって、従来の放送・通信に対する規制の枠に収まらないサービスが登場している。新たな芽を成長戦略につなげるには、ルールの見直しが必要だろう。

The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry's advisory panel on information and communications services has compiled a proposal to drastically review regulations on broadcast and communications services.
　総務省の情報通信審議会が、放送と通信の規制を抜本的に改める答申をまとめた。

The proposal calls for reviewing the current regulatory categorization of services based on the type of operation, such as wired or wireless services, and instead recategorizing the services based on function, such as program production and radio transmission.
　通信か放送か、無線か有線か、といった業態別の区分を見直し、番組制作や電波送信といった機能別に組み直す内容である。

There are as many as nine major laws governing information and communications services. The laws include a number of regulations that do not match the actual situation. It therefore is of great significance to remove barriers between broadcast and communications services, eyeing the integration of those services.
　情報通信関連の法律は主なものだけで九つもあり、実態にそぐわない規制も多い。今回、放送と通信の融合をにらみ、垣根を取り払う意義は大きい。

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Function key under plan

Under the envisaged new regulatory framework, there would be no distinction between communications and broadcast services. Services would instead be categorized into three areas--program contents offered to viewers; transmission infrastructure such as communications networks and transmitting stations; and transmission services for conveying information to viewers.
　新たな規制の枠組みでは、通信と放送の区分はなくなり、〈１〉視聴者に提供する「番組の内容」〈２〉通信網や送信所などの「伝送設備」〈３〉視聴者に情報を届けるための「伝送サービス」――の３分野にくくり直される。

The regulations on radio waves, which separately target broadcast and communications services, would be relaxed so that broadcast stations could distribute their programs on cell phones and broadcast their programs via cell phone antennas.
　放送用、通信用に分かれている電波の規制も緩和され、放送局が携帯電話に番組を配信したり、携帯電話のアンテナを使って放送したりできるようになる。

By reforming regulatory categories so they are based on functions, it would become easier for broadcasters to operate their program production and transmission services in separate corporate entities. Local broadcasters would be able to improve management efficiency by jointly using transmission equipment. It also would be possible for outside businesses to enter the broadcasting services field by renting other companies' equipment.
　規制が機能別になることで、放送局は番組制作と送信業務を別会社で実施しやすくなる。複数の地方局が送信設備を共用すれば経営の効率化に役立とう。他社の設備を借りる形での異業種からの放送事業への参入も可能になる。

An invigorated business environment would result in expanded and cheaper communications and broadcasting services. The industry should strive to create new services by putting consumers' interests first.
　放送・通信の活性化は、サービスの多様化や通信料の値下げにつながる。業界は利用者の利便向上を最優先に、新サービスの創出に努めてほしい。

Some observers have pointed out that under the new regulatory framework it would be easier for the government to intervene in the content of programs, a situation that would threaten the independence of broadcasters.
　新たな規制の枠組みに対しては、国が番組内容に口出ししやすくなり、放送局の自立性が脅かされるとの指摘もある。

The proposal says there would be no new regulations imposed on information on the Internet, and that editorial freedom in respect of broadcast programs would be stipulated under the law. It is essential to give due consideration to freedom of expression during the process of drafting related bills.
　答申は、インターネット上の情報には新たな規制は設けず、放送番組の編集の自由は法律に明記するとしている。今後の法案化作業で、表現の自由に対する十分な配慮は不可欠だろう。

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Fix administrative structure

The Democratic Party of Japan, in its policy pledges for the upcoming House of Representatives election, suggested that administration of broadcast and communications services be taken out of the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry's jurisdiction to prevent the government from intervening in broadcast services.
　民主党は衆院選に向けた政策集で、放送への国の介入を排除するため、放送・通信行政を総務省から分離させるとしている。

The main opposition party called for the creation of an independent administrative commission, modeled after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, to which administrative power would be devolved from the ministry. The DPJ apparently intends not only to revise the current regulations, but to reform administrative structures as well.
　米国の連邦通信委員会（ＦＣＣ）をモデルにした独立行政委員会を新設し、権限を移管する案だ。規制の見直しと同時に、行政組織のあり方についても再検討するということだろう。

But transplanting a U.S. model alone would not ensure the smooth operation of broadcast and communications administrative services. What is necessary first and foremost is to review the current administrative structure that involves the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and a cabinet member whose portfolio includes information technology policy.
　しかし、米国型の移植だけで放送・通信行政は円滑に進むまい。総務省や経済産業省、ＩＴ（情報技術）担当大臣が並立する今の行政の見直しが先決ではないか。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 27, 2009)
（2009年8月27日01時30分 読売新聞）