hankyoreh

The comprehensive programming channels run by the Chosun Ilbo, JoongAng Ilbo, Dong-a Ilbo and Maeil Business Daily newspapers are to hold a joint founding celebration show on December 1. The four channels have reportedly invited a large number of figures from the political and business sectors, including President Lee Myung-bak. It appears that, after winning the right to operate the channels through a variety of special favors and foul play, they are putting on a final mass display of power and intimidation, wheeling out even the president.
The joint founding event of the four comprehensive channels is something with which we are unable to agree, let alone celebrate. Their birth itself, the product of a railroading in the National Assembly that rode roughshod over the principles of parliamentary democracy, is a mistake that cannot be undone. As if this were not enough, however, they have gone all out, in the process of their launch, to maximize only their own profits, ignoring market order, under the unilateral protection of the government. Looking at their behavior makes us feel ashamed to even think of principles such as impartiality and working the public interest on the part of the media. 　　
Despite the passing of a media rep law is currently under discussion in the National Assembly, the comprehensive channels have rushed head-first in to managing their own advertisement, transforming the advertising market into a warzone governed by the laws of the jungle.
Regarding channel numbers, they applied pressure to system operators (SOs; comprehensive terrestrial broadcast companies) in order to be allocated consecutive channel numbers that were the same throughout South Korea. It remains unconfirmed whether their stubborn demands, which ignore the individual circumstances of each SO, will be met. 　　
Such bullying on the part of comprehensive channels has been made possible by the overt support of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), which knows no shame. KCC Chairman Choi See-joong has effectively acted as a spokesman for the channels, avoiding altogether the issue of their disturbing of the market order, and personally taking their side in negotiations. This provides confirmation that the comprehensive channel system is the product of collusion between the conservative administration and conservatively-inclined newspaper conglomerates.
Given this, politicians from the Democratic Party (DP) and other opposition parties must decide not to attend the Dec. 1 celebration show, regardless of whether President Lee takes part. The reason for this is clearly visible, leaving no room for conflicting argument, in the written agreement on policy solidarity drafted by four opposition parties and civic organizations at the time of the April 27 by-election earlier this year.
In the agreement, the opposition parties branded comprehensive programming channels “unconstitutional and unlawful broadcasters right from the start,” clearly calling for an investigation of the government in relation to unlawful acts and special favors in the process of selecting the comprehensive channel operators, and for amendment to broadcasting laws to rectify such favors. All the opposition need do is stay loyal to the spirit of this agreement.
　　
Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]