「報道と紙面を考える委員会」体験に基づく説得力ある記事発信
(Convincing Articles Based on Experience in the “Committee for Considering News and Newspaper Pages”)

平成21年7月号掲載(Published in July 2009)

今年、創刊から130年を迎えた山陽新聞社は、社外有識者の意見を紙面づくりに生かすために平成13年（2001）から「報道と紙面を考える委員会」を設けていて、教主様にはその委員のお一人としてつとめこられています。この度、教主様は、旭川荘名誉理事長の江草安彦氏、倉敷商工会議所会頭（大原美術館理事長）の大原謙一郎氏、弁護士の西田三千代女史とともに「多メディア時代における山陽新聞の使命」とのテーマのもとに、新聞報道が地域社会に果たす役割について提言されました。
　5月31日付の創刊130周年特集版にその要旨が掲載されましたので、今号の「道ごころ」は教主様のご発言を紹介します。（編集部）

This year marks the 130th anniversary of the Sanyō Shimbun Newspaper. Since 2001, the company has established the “Committee for Considering News and Newspaper Pages” to incorporate the opinions of external experts into its editorial work. The Chief Patriarch has served as one of the committee members.
On this occasion, together with Dr. Egusa Yasuhiko (Honorary Director of Asahigawasō), Mr. Ōhara Kenichirō (Chairman of the Kurashiki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Director of the Ōhara Museum of Art), and Ms. Nishida Michiyo (Attorney-at-Law), the Chief Patriarch offered proposals under the theme “The Mission of the Sanyō Shimbun in the Multimedia Age”—discussing the role of newspaper reporting in regional society.
A summary of these remarks was published in the May 31st special edition commemorating the 130th anniversary. In this issue of Michigokoro, we present the Chief Patriarch’s statements.
(Editorial Office)

最近の紙面から

(From Recent Pages)

新しい新聞製作システムの導入と輪転機の増強によってローカル面を中心にカラー二十ヵ面体制を実現し、「岡山都市圏版」や「倉敷都市圏版」を創設するなど朝刊紙面を一新した。高齢社会の介護の実情をルポした年間企画や政令指定都市・岡山の課題を検証する連載なども次々に展開している。最近の紙面や記事について率直な意見、感想をうかがいたい。

With the introduction of a new newspaper production system and the reinforcement of rotary presses, the Sanyō Shimbun has realized a twenty-page color format, especially for local sections, and created new editions such as the Okayama Metropolitan Area and Kurashiki Metropolitan Area. The morning paper has been renewed. Annual features include reports on the realities of elder care in an aging society, and serial investigations into the challenges facing Okayama as a government-designated city.
We asked for candid opinions and impressions of these recent pages and articles.

黒住委員：私は子どものころから山陽新聞を愛読しており、地元紙ならではの、心に響く記事を楽しみにしている。
四国霊場を歩き遍路で巡りながら行く先々で出会った人たちとの交流を軽妙なタッチで描く「風と歩けば」や、生体肝移植を受けた記者自身がつづる「ケースナンバー１８７」などは興味深い。
体験に基づいた記事は、何といっても説得力がある。こんな記事をどんどん発信していってもらいたい。

Committee Member Kurozumi: I have loved reading the Sanyō Shimbun since childhood, and I look forward to articles that resonate with the heart, unique to a local newspaper. For example, Walking with the Wind, which lightly depicts encounters with people along the pilgrimage route of the Shikoku sacred sites, and Case Number 187, written by a reporter who underwent a living-donor liver transplant, are both fascinating. Articles based on personal experience carry undeniable persuasive power. I hope such pieces will continue to be published in abundance.

「キャンペーン」の意義

The Significance of Campaigns

山陽新聞は業界で最高の栄誉である日本新聞協会賞を５回受賞しており、そのうち４回までが医療・福祉分野でのキャンペーンだった。先駆的な報道を続けてきたことを誇りに思う一方で、近年はこの種の取材に対する力がやや弱くなっているのではないかと懸念している。

The Sanyō Shimbun has received the Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association Award—the highest honor in the industry—five times, four of which recognized campaigns in the fields of medicine and welfare. While proud of its pioneering reporting, there is concern that in recent years its strength in this type of coverage may have somewhat diminished.

黒住委員：とことん地域に密着し、さまざまな問題に直面した人々の切実な思いや生きようを伝える記事は読む人の心を動かす。こういった長年の積み重ねが山陽新聞に寄せられる信頼の厚さとなっていると思う。
新聞の影響力は昔も今も非常に大きい。今後とも創業の精神を忘れず、地域とともに歩んでもらいたい。

Committee Member Kurozumi: Articles that are thoroughly rooted in the community, conveying the urgent feelings and determination of people facing various problems, truly move readers’ hearts. I believe that this long accumulation of such reporting is the foundation of the strong trust placed in the Sanyō Shimbun. The influence of newspapers has always been, and still remains, extremely significant. I hope the paper will continue to walk together with the community, never forgetting the spirit of its founding.

裁判員制度

The Lay Judge System

21日の裁判員制度導入を機に事件報道を再考し、情報の出所をできるだけ明示し、断定調やあいまいな表現を避けることなどを徹底しているが、真実の究明と人権擁護をめぐっては難しい問題をはらんでいる。

With the introduction of the lay judge system on May 21, the Sanyō Shimbun has reconsidered its reporting on criminal cases. It now strives to clarify sources of information, avoid definitive or vague expressions, and maintain accuracy. Yet, the pursuit of truth and the protection of human rights remain difficult issues.

黒住委員：国民の中から選ばれた裁判員が刑事裁判に参加し、これまでの人生経験を生かしてプロの裁判官と一緒に判決を考えていくという制度の趣旨はよく分かる。しかし、判決にかかわる裁判員の心理的な負担はかなり大きい。
私もそうだが「素人なので自信がない」「被告の運命を決めるのは責任が重い」と尻込みしている人も多いのではないだろうか。正直なところ、制度導入については複雑な思いがぬぐえない。

Committee Member Kurozumi: The purpose of the system is clear: citizens chosen from among the people participate in criminal trials, bringing their life experience to bear as they deliberate verdicts together with professional judges. However, the psychological burden on lay judges is considerable.
Like myself, many may hesitate, thinking: “I am only an amateur, I lack confidence,” or “The responsibility of deciding a defendant’s fate is too heavy.” Honestly, I cannot dispel my mixed feelings about the introduction of this system.

世界同時不況

(The Global Recession)

「百年に一度」といわれる世界同時不況で、地場企業も疲弊の色が濃い。報道に際しては厳しい現実を直視してその状況を正しく伝えなければならないが、暗いニュースばかりが目立つと県民全体が「縮み志向」になりかねないジレンマがある。

The so-called “once-in-a-century” global recession has deeply affected local businesses, leaving them increasingly exhausted. In reporting, it is essential to face harsh realities and convey the situation accurately. Yet there is a dilemma: if only dark news dominates, the entire prefecture’s people may fall into a mindset of contraction.

黒住委員：　昭和初期の大恐慌から戦中戦後の混乱期、バブル崩壊など幾多の苦難をくぐり抜けて今日がある。山陽新聞も１３０年の歴史があるわけで、その当時どんな記事が載っていたのか興味がある。逆境をバネに大きく伸びていった企業もあったはずだ。
そこに何がしらかのヒントが隠されているかもしれない。

Committee Member Kurozumi: From the Great Depression of the early Shōwa era, through the turmoil of wartime and postwar years, and even the collapse of the economic bubble, Japan has endured many hardships to reach the present. The Sanyō Shimbun itself has a 130-year history, and I am interested in what kind of articles were published during those times. Surely there were companies that turned adversity into a springboard for growth. Hidden within those records may be valuable hints for us today.

地方紙の在り方

(The Role of Regional Newspapers)

新聞業界は今、かつてない逆風にさらされている。若者を中心に「無購読層」が増え、インターネットや携帯電話などメディアの多様化も進む。大量の情報が瞬時に世界を駆け巡る中で、地方紙はどうあるべきか。

The newspaper industry now faces unprecedented headwinds. Among young people especially, the number of households without subscriptions is increasing, while the diversification of media through the internet and mobile phones continues apace. In an age when vast amounts of information instantly circle the globe, the question arises: what role should regional newspapers play?

黒住委員：　今ある出来事を追っかけていくのも新聞だが、時には過去を振り返り、さらには未来に思いをめぐらせるのも重要な役割だ。その意味で私は文化面の厚みに期待している。

Committee Member Kurozumi: Newspapers must of course pursue current events, but at times it is equally important to look back at the past and to turn our thoughts toward the future. In that sense, I place great expectations on the depth of the cultural section.