[Editorial] Government paves way for stronger media monopoly

[한겨레] Yesterday, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) voted on the schedule for selecting comprehensive programming network providers. Opposition party-nominated commission members abstained from the voting after their calls to wait until the question of the legality of the media law reform bills providing the basis for the networks is resolved were ignored. The media reform legislation was railroaded by the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) in an extraordinary session of the National Assembly in July of 2009, allowing South Korea's big three conservative daily newspapers entrance into the evening news. With the completion of KCC voting procedures, the selection of providers is expected to take place by the end of the year. This second railroading of comprehensive programming smacks strongly of political motives.

The KCC's push to select providers has no justification. The biggest issue is the legal controversy. In October, the Constitutional Court ruled that the media laws were passed illegally in the National Assembly. The Court essentially stated that the National Assembly should rectify the procedural errors itself through renewed discussions. The Constitutional Court secretary-general also made it clear that this should not be taken to mean, 'even though the procedure was incorrect, the law is valid.'

However, the GNP and then National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o ignored opposition party demands for renewed discussions. In response, opposition parties filed a nonperformance lawsuit with the Constitutional Court, charging that their authority was violated because the speaker did not take any measures. Depending on the outcome of this lawsuit, the very selection of comprehensive programming providers may be invalid. The KCC would not attempt this reckless pursuit if it were even slightly inclined to respect the ruling of a constitutional organization.

The KCC claims that it is a dereliction of duty to delay the schedule. An even more serious issue, however, is the fact that the government, which should be operating according to law, is feigning ignorance with regard to the legal issues. In overplaying its hand despite being well aware of the objections not only from opposition parties but also from civic groups and citizens, the KCC is digging its own grave.

With the KCC engaging in such unacceptable behavior, it is no wonder that a political controversy is brewing. Opposition parties, media scholars, and media groups have charged that the KCC has taken all sorts of unreasonable steps to open the way for conservative and clan-run newspapers to enter broadcasting. By nailing down the selection schedule even if it meant ignoring opposing opinions, the KCC reaffirmed that these criticisms were justified.

By itself, comprehensive programming is rife with problems. Even those preparing to enter the market cannot deny that the commercial prospects are unclear. Haven't we reached the point where they feel compelled to ask for further preferential treatment, including the assignment of "golden channels" to comprehensive programmers? It is also apparent that comprehensive programming, far from contributing to the diversification of public opinion, will instead only exacerbate the conservative-dominated press environment. If it does not immediately reconsider the comprehensive programming effort, the KCC will have a harsh price to pay for its peremptory actions.

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[Editorial] Government paves way for stronger media monopoly