Saenuri Party allegedly trying to control foreign media’s word choice

Posted on : 2012-12-17 12:13 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Park’s camp seeking to limit use of unflattering terms like ‘dictator’ to refer to Park Chung-hee

By Kim Oi-hyun, staff reporter

Controversy is raging after revelations that Park Geun-hye’s election camp asked foreign news outlets not to use the term “dictator” to describe her late father, former president Park Chung-hee.

An article in the Dec. 12 edition of the Washington Post made reference to a memo sent earlier this year by members of the Saenuri Party (NFP) presidential candidate’s camp.

“Park Geun-hye’s aides say they are sensitive about her connection to her father,” the article reported. “They sent a memo to the news media earlier this year asking that articles not refer to Park Chung-hee as a ‘dictator.’”

Observers said this attempt to influence the wording used by media could constitute an infringement of freedoms of the press and expression. In particular, they noted similarities to the “reporting guidelines” handed down to the media by the military administration of former president Chun Doo-hwan.

The requests by Park’s aides appear to have started early this year.

One official with a foreign news outlet reported being contacted by the Saenuri Party some time in late 2011 or early 2012 with a request not to use the term “dictator’s daughter,” which had been included in a photo caption.

The official also said they had heard about reporters being visited directly by Saenuri members asking them to refrain using such language.

However, English-language media outlets have continued to use the term “dictator,” as well as similar terms like “autocrat” and “strongman.” The Dec. 17 Asian edition of the US weekly Time Magazine featured Park Geun-hye on the cover with the title “The Strongman’s Daughter.” A New York Times report on the Saenuri Party‘s victory in April’s parliamentary election was titled “In a Rowdy Democracy, a Dictator’s Daughter With an Unsoiled Aura.” Reuters described her as “daughter of the founder of modern-day South Korea” in September 2011, but used “dictator’s daughter” in the title of an article on her July declaration of her plans to run for president.

Foreign journalists in South Korea are reportedly unhappy with the Saenuri Party’s tactics. Shin Jae-yeon, deputy spokesperson for the foreign press for Democratic United Party challenger Moon Jae-in, said foreign reporters had talked about being repeatedly contacted by Saenuri members questioning why they had used certain expressions.

“The reporters are taking these as attempts to control the foreign press by denying the legacy of the dictatorship,” Shin said. “It’s extremely upsetting to them.”

 

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