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Fuji Television Network, one of Japan's major
broadcast companies, has been honored with a
2003 Peabody Award for it's probing
investigative report "The Hepatitis C
Epidemic: A 15-Year Government Cover-Up". The
George Foster Peabody Awards are considered
among the most prestigious honors in the field
of broadcast journalism. The Awards, now in
their 62nd year, recognize "distinguished
achievement and meritorious service by radio
and television networks."
The Fuji series, originally aired on the nightly news
show News Japan, chronicled the story of the
victims of the Hepatitis C epidemic in Japan,
and brought to light a cover-up by government
and pharmaceutical company authorities of the
fact that Fibrinogen, an anti-coagulant agent,
was contaminated with the virus and had
infected the nation's blood supply. The
program's revelations led to a class-action
lawsuit being filed against the government and
drug companies by individuals who came down
with the disease.
Announcing the 2003 awards, Peabody Director, Horace
Newcomb said, "Once again, the Peabody Awards
cross all media boundaries and explore all
media avenues to recognize excellence wherever
it can be found."
 Mr. Atsuta, Mitsuyoshi chief editor of News
Japan at the awards ceremony on Monday, May
19, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.
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