Conservative newspapers and Lee administration strengthen symbiotic relationship

Posted on : 2010-05-27 12:22 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Analysts say the railroaded media legislation and reciprocal positive newspaper coverage have resulted in an erosion in journalistic integrity
 in front of the headquarters of the Chosun Ilbo
in front of the headquarters of the Chosun Ilbo

“The Lee Myung-bak administration was made by the ChoJoongDong (Chosun Ilbo, JoongAng Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo). They have made uncritical wooing their regular practice in order to get their hands on comprehensive programming channels.” -Cheongam Press Foundation board member Choe Min-hui

“In their competition for comprehensive programming channels, the ChoJoongDong are sending positive signals to President Lee Myung-bak.” -Youngsan University Professor Lee Jin-ro

In what way should observers view the pro-Lee Myung-bak administration reporting by conservative media outlets since administration took office? It is unsurprising that conservative newspapers have showed favorable views toward the Lee administration, whose right-wing tendencies are evident in a number of social and economic policies. But certain conservative newspapers are engaging in pro-administration reporting and flattery of President Lee that borders on offensive.

“The fawning over the president by conservative newspapers violates journalistic principles to an embarrassing degree,” said a journalist at one moderate daily. In other words, it is a deviation from journalism that cannot be explained by mere ideological congruity.

Observers inside and outside the press sector have attempted to explain these questions with one key phrase, “comprehensive programming networks.” For conservative newspapers that must find a path to survival in a rapidly shrinking print media market, broadcasting is the ultimate gift.

The ruling party railroaded through legislation for a full-scale expansion of newspaper corporations’ entry into broadcasting, despite opposition from a vast majority of South Koreans. Analysts say that behind this recklessness on the Lee administration’s part is a plan of uniting conservative news outlets into one reliable allied army.

The symbiotic relationship of interests between the Lee administration and the conservative media is evident in articles about the media legislation. Two articles from the JoongAng Ilbo are a clear example. The articles were entitled, “MB Rolls Up His Shirtsleeves in Governance... ‘I Expect the Media Laws to Be Passed This Month’” (6/13/09, p. 5) and “MB: ‘Let’s Show Them with the Results of the Media Laws’” (7/29/09, p.17).

Analysts also say the subtle differences in reporting in the three newspapers can be explained by their differing approaches to the “comprehensive programming carrot.” Lee Jin-ro said, “The Dong-A, which is relatively ill prepared for broadcasting, is using the method of a fervently pro-government tone, while the better prepared JoongAng is using the emotional appeal of forming a positive image for the president and the Chosun, somewhere between the two, has been distancing itself somewhat while maintaining an underlying positive view.”

In particular, some observers say the JoongAng has done the most sympathetic reporting on the president because of its great expectations of the business-friendly “CEO President.”

“One must assume it was favorable reporting aimed at generating beneficial policies, as with the listing of Samsung Life and the pardon of Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee,” said SungKongHoe University Professor Kim Seo-jung.

“You could say that the JoongAng has a lot of sympathy with the policies of a business-friendly president,” Seoul National University Professor Yang Seung-mok said.

The Hankyoreh attempted to contact reporters and managers in the Joongang Ilbo’s political department for a comment, but the only responses received were, “I cannot answer questions about that,” and “No comment.” Observers are also pointing to the current administration’s excessive dependence on image marketing as a factor in the proliferation of favorable press.

“Late President Roh, instead of going to the market to take pictures, wanted to fine-tune and produce policy,” said Chun Ho-sun, who served as a Cheong Wa Dae (the presidential office in South Korea or Blue House) spokesman during the Roh Moo-hyun administration. “The current administration seems to be trying to send a message to the people of South Korea through excessively staged events, and if this continues, the people will eventually become sick of it.”

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

  

 

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