| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
earthbound14
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Location: seoul
|
 Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject: Korean press facing loss of freedom |
 |
|
http://theseoultimes.com/ST/index.html
Pres. Park is apparently working his magic to get his associates into positions of power within the Korean media. I guess he wasn't too happy about what his rivals did to him in the press.
| Quote: |
South Korea's "Media Today" reported on Nov. 12, 2008 that international media watch group World Association of Press Council (WAPC) raised its voice for the freedom of the press in South Korea in its statement.
The newspaper, which reviews and critiques media affairs, expressed its concern for editorial independence and journalistic integrity over the recent appointment of Mr. Ku Bon-Hong as YTN head. Ku worked as President Lee Myung-Bak's special press aide in Lee's presidential campaign last year.
In YTN shareholders' meeting held four months ago Mr. Ku, President Lee's former campaign aide, was appointed to position of the president of South Korea's 24-hour news channel, incurring strong opposition and resistance from the journalists of YTN.
Nearly all the YTN journalists, who are members of the labor union, have been in a battle with the YTN management in their efforts to stop Mr. Ku from coming to his office. They argue that Ku's appointment can seriously jeopardize the press freedom, editorial independence in particular.
The battle went from bad to worse when Mr. Ku laid off six hard-core protesters recently.
South Korean journalists and media related groups are increasingly worried about President Lee Myung-Bak's attemplt to control the nation's news media as more of Lee's former campaign aides are being appointed to the "powerful" positions of news media companies or other media related organizations.
The media watch group is particularly worried about President Lee's attempt to control the news media in South Korea. The group urged that Mr. Ku's appointment should be rescinded.
The following is the WAPC's full text of the recent situation of South Korean media.
WAPC Express Concern for Editorial Independence and Journalistic Integrity at YTN, South Korea
YTN is a 24-hour cable TV news channel, headquartered in Seoul South Korea. Founded 15 years ago, it has grown to become a major media company in this short time. 60% of its stock is held by the Korean government.
Since July of this year, YTN journalists have raised serious questions concerning the appointment of Mr. Ku Bong-Hong, former aide to President Lee Myung-Bak, as the new head of YTN. Central to these concerns is the editorial independence of the media.
The WAPC agrees that the appointment of Mr. Ku, who has a close association with President Lee, raises the specter of government control. We note that even the appearance of bias in this regard serves to destroy the public trust in news media.
With all due respect to Mr. Ku, we urge that his appointment be rescinded, and that a new appointee be found that will guarantee editorial independence, and restore public confidence in YTN.
The WAPC is an international association of press and media councils from: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Malawi, Nepal, Northern Cyprus, Swaziland, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, USA, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The WAPC is dedicated to promoting high standards of journalistic ethics and the basic right of all persons to communicate freely.
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
|
Last edited by earthbound14 on Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:44 pm; edited 2 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Pooty
Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Location: Ela stin agalia mou
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Haha, serves them right. Maybe now they'll start reporting responsibly - but I doubt it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
That'd be president Lee.
And no surprise here - the unions want to choose the new head-honcho? Geez, who'd of thunk it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| So this is the fault of the media, and not a power-hungry president? By the way, the link doesn't go directly to an article. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
earthbound14
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Location: seoul
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
| So this is the fault of the media, and not a power-hungry president? By the way, the link doesn't go directly to an article. |
What's interesting about the article is that Pres Park appears to be trying to get some people into positions of power in the media in order to control it. My thinking is that as the new president during the mad cow silliness he was easily attacked in the media by the old president's people in positions of power (the old regimes people) who wound up the people. They took advantage of the situation while they still had some control before the new regime had the chance to get their people in. But it looks like he's sorting things out now.....ahh the Korean media.
Corruption followed by more corruption in the media. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| So are you saying it's a good thing if the government seizes control of the media? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
earthbound14
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Location: seoul
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
| So are you saying it's a good thing if the government seizes control of the media? |
No, just saying it seems like he's reacting to the issue. In my opinion it was likely corrupt before and they are just in the process of changing from one political regime to the next. I think it is a bad thing when government or corporations have control of the media. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| earthbound14 wrote: |
| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
| So this is the fault of the media, and not a power-hungry president? By the way, the link doesn't go directly to an article. |
What's interesting about the article is that Pres Park appears to be trying to get some people into positions of power in the media in order to control it. My thinking is that as the new president during the mad cow silliness he was easily attacked in the media by the old president's people in positions of power (the old regimes people) who wound up the people. They took advantage of the situation while they still had some control before the new regime had the chance to get their people in. But it looks like he's sorting things out now.....ahh the Korean media.
Corruption followed by more corruption in the media. |
1. Can you please learn the President's name.
2. EVERY President of Korea has done the same thing for state-controlled busiensses. This is nothing new. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Exactly.
Noh did it before him, and now it's somehow bad because Lee is doing it?
Sounds like someone is crying over a loss of power. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Freedom of speech/press has always been lower when the president was from the GNP/DJP/DRP than with a party committed to free speech/human rights/ineffectual leadership.
Also, I get the impression earthbound14 is mixing up Lee Myungbag and Park Junghee. Not a difficult mistake to make. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sojourner1
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The press is not professional as many of the articles in the Englishee newspapers are amature writing at best. Korea is a joke. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
Freedom of speech/press has always been lower when the president was from the GNP/DJP/DRP than with a party committed to free speech/human rights/ineffectual leadership.
Also, I get the impression earthbound14 is mixing up Lee Myungbag and Park Junghee. Not a difficult mistake to make. |
Really, I think it's a huge one. Are you honestly saying that LMB is a dictator? Do we need to go through the list of how they are not the same?
How about the first and foremost - LMB was elected democratically.
Doesn't sound like a dictator to me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Captain Corea wrote: |
| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
Freedom of speech/press has always been lower when the president was from the GNP/DJP/DRP than with a party committed to free speech/human rights/ineffectual leadership.
Also, I get the impression earthbound14 is mixing up Lee Myungbag and Park Junghee. Not a difficult mistake to make. |
Really, I think it's a huge one. Are you honestly saying that LMB is a dictator? Do we need to go through the list of how they are not the same?
How about the first and foremost - LMB was elected democratically.
Doesn't sound like a dictator to me. |
His political party has had dictators for leaders before. I assume you know what GNP/DJP/DRP stands for. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
| Captain Corea wrote: |
| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
Freedom of speech/press has always been lower when the president was from the GNP/DJP/DRP than with a party committed to free speech/human rights/ineffectual leadership.
Also, I get the impression earthbound14 is mixing up Lee Myungbag and Park Junghee. Not a difficult mistake to make. |
Really, I think it's a huge one. Are you honestly saying that LMB is a dictator? Do we need to go through the list of how they are not the same?
How about the first and foremost - LMB was elected democratically.
Doesn't sound like a dictator to me. |
His political party has had dictators for leaders before. I assume you know what GNP/DJP/DRP stands for. |
Sure I do. In fact, most of my family voted for them and support them.
You said that PCH and LMB would be easy to mix up, mind elaborating?
Now, you talked about a party that stands up for Press Freedom - mind mentioning which party that is? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
strange_brew
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
| People seem to be arguing that it isn't bad that there is no press freedom since this is how it was in Korea before. I don't understand why people on this board do not seem to be more concerned that this country isn't actually striving for more press freedom. I think that would be the logical argument here. With a new regime change, lets change the practices of old rather than perpetuate them. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
