hankyoreh

Randy Covington, an assistant professor in the School of Journalism at the University of South Carolina in the United States, speaking at a recent seminar in Korea, remarked that changes in the South Korean media are slow compared with changes in its rapidly-developing IT industry. He was in Korea on April 30 at the invitation of The Hankyoreh Economic Research Institute.

Professor Covington observed that the Korean media was unable to keep up with the demands of the general public. Traditional media, including newspapers and television, should change their newsrooms to survive in today’s rapidly changing media environment, the professor added.

During an international seminar held under the theme “web and the future of newspapers,” Covington also expressed his views on the Korean media, saying that the traditional definition of a newsroom should change to include an organization that can not only produce newspapers, but also Internet news and other forms of broadcast media.

An increasing number of people are relying on new forms of media for their news, instead of just newspapers and broadcasting, and almost 80 percent of Americans are watching the news on Internet sites and posting related comments and feedback, according to Covington. He also stressed the necessity of the two-way production of news. He mentioned a newspaper in Poland that received up to 40,000 e-mails from readers regarding an op-ed piece about maternity wards. He quoted the executive editor of the newspaper as saying that it would be foolish not to ask readers or viewers to offer news items and information.

Covington made his first visit to Korea in 2005, when he lectured about the relationship between Internet portals and traditional media. He said that Koreans working in the media have changed significantly in connection with newsroom reforms over the past three years.

At a lecture for reporters from The Hankyoreh held on the same day, Covington said the future of the newspaper is bright in that it tries to distinguish itself from other newspapers. He emphasized the importance of securing a strong readership, because of the proliferation of media available to potential subscribers. In this respect, The Hankyoreh, which publishes aggressive and investigative news stories, is in an advantageous position, he said.

Covington worked as a reporter for various newspapers and broadcasting companies for 30 years before becoming a professor of journalism six years ago. He will make presentation at a seminar to be organized by the Korean Society for Journalism and Communication Studies on May 2, before departing Korea the next day.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]