Freelance TV and radio commentator Peter Barakan said he was pressured by two broadcast stations to steer clear of nuclear power issues on his programs until after the Tokyo gubernatorial election on Feb. 9, causing concern among some about possible media censorship.

Barakan, who hosts the three-hour radio show "Barakan Morning" every Monday through Thursday on InterFM, a private radio station, mentioned the "requests" on his live show Monday but didn't identify the stations. Nor did he say when or why the requests were made.

"I have been told by two stations (other than InterFM) not to touch on the nuclear issue until the gubernatorial election is over, even though the campaign has not officially kicked off," he said during the show.