Journalism of the "Voiceless": How to Scoop Up Minority Opinions

How can we mediate the subjective "voiceless voices" that are submerged and scattered in the depths of society, create solidarity, and influence society? How can this gain legitimacy in a mass society? In this book, I have attempted to reposition the practice of journalism from these perspectives.

While I was a student at Keio University, my interest lay in the fact that ambiguous and personal experiences, such as developmental disabilities, were not being brought to the table for public discussion. I felt a growing sense of discomfort that issues excluded by the value systems created by social structures were being discussed in isolation as individual, specific matters. Instead, I felt there was a need for cross-sectional political practices where people facing various "difficulties in living" could interact with each other and challenge society. When I developed this awareness, I noticed a welfare program called "Heart Net TV," which is one of the case studies in this book. By using the phrase "difficulty in living" in an impressionistic way, it attempts to express various subjective experiences as something shareable and send a message to society. This book aims to re-examine journalism through such cultural practices.

In the process, I also came to think about the legitimacy of journalistic practice. As seen in the eugenics ideology surrounding the Sagamihara stabbings at a care home for people with disabilities, the blueprint for liberation where "anyone can speak out to society" has been swallowed up by hegemonic platforms. Consequently, the focus has shifted from "what is right" to "what feels natural and plausible" (authenticity).

Faced with this "anything goes" situation, this book takes a serious look at the contradictions that arise when attempting to adopt a strategy of competing on the field of "authenticity," based on the relationship between popular cultural practices and journalism.

Furthermore, I was fortunate enough to publish this book with the support of the Keio University Academic Publication Fund. I would like to express my gratitude for being able to publish my research results through Keio University, which has helped me in so many ways.

Journalism of the "Voiceless": How to Scoop Up Minority Opinions

Akira Tanaka

Keio University Press

288 pages, 3,520 yen (tax included)

*Affiliations and titles are those at the time of publication.