Budoshu was an alcoholic drink from premodern Japan made of fermented grapes. What makes it different from wine? Hannah Kirshner travelled to Yamanashi prefecture, home of Japan’s wine industry, to find out exactly that, unearthing the country’s deep history with wine in the process. After meeting with Hitoshi Mitsumori, a farmer part of a collective that makes budoshu, she concludes there’s no difference between the two drinks; even the supposed difference between grape varieties used doesn’t distinguish them, as some wines are made with table grape varieties too. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here
Merv
February 1, 2023
