Jin Joong-kwon: "The ruling party uses Kim Eo-jun to build hegemony"... 'News Factory' controversy reignited in by-elections

Jin Joong-kwon "Former Leader Lee Hae-chan Also Praises Kim Eo-jun's Partisanship"
Earlier Political Circles Clash Over 'News Factory' Bias
Poll Shows Lower Neutrality Scores Compared to Other Current Affairs Programs
Candidate Oh Se-hoon "TBS Should Broadcast Traffic Information"
Candidate Park Young-sun "Media Suppression Remarks Are Backward-Looking"

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized some ruling party lawmakers who defended the traffic broadcasting (TBS) current affairs program 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' (News Factory), saying they are "relying on agitation." The program has consistently faced criticism for bias and partisanship, leading to claims that it lacks value as a public broadcaster.

With the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election just a week away, the battle between ruling and opposition candidates over the 'News Factory' hosted by broadcaster Kim Eo-jun is intensifying. Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, pointed out Kim's bias and argued that the program's role should be reduced, while Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate, responded by accusing Oh of "media suppression."

In an article contributed to the 'JoongAng Ilbo' on the 31st, former professor Jin said of Kim, "Even former Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan openly praises his partisanship," adding, "Their current hero is Kim Eo-jun."

He strongly criticized, saying, "A normal political party would filter the public's excitement through cold reason and refine their rough language. However, the Democratic Party's key figures have used Kim Eo-jun's agitational broadcast to keep the public in a constant state of political excitement and have exploited their anger to build hegemony both inside and outside the party."

Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor (left), is holding a focused campaign rally at Wangsimni Station Plaza in Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the 30th, while Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, is holding a focused campaign rally at Yeongdeungpo Station Plaza. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the issue of biased reporting by Kim's 'News Factory.' Especially with the Seoul mayoral by-election just a week away, the controversy appears to be reigniting.

The opposition first launched accusations of "biased broadcasting." On January 4, Kim Geun-sik, head of the Vision and Strategy Office of the People Power Party, criticized 'News Factory' by saying, "A broadcast operated with taxpayers' money blatantly acts as a mouthpiece for the ruling party," and demanded, "It should be abolished and dismantled in the name of Seoul citizens."

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop also pointed out at the time, "In principle, politics should not influence the media, but Kim Eo-jun is an exception," adding, "His bias is extreme and manifests in various ways, causing great harm."

According to a radio media usage behavior survey released by the Korea Broadcast Advertising Corporation in August last year, 'News Factory' ranked last in categories such as 'neutrality,' 'reliability,' 'timeliness,' and 'interest' compared to other current affairs programs like MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show.' In particular, 'News Factory' scored 54 points in 'neutrality,' significantly lower than 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' (87 points) and 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' (84 points).

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, who hosts TBS's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory.' / Photo by TBS

Kim also sparked controversy with remarks that could be interpreted as secondary harm to sexual violence victims. In a 2018 podcast, he referred to the 'Me Too movement' by saying, "The thinking goes that victims should be prepared and brought out through progressive media," adding, "I'm not saying this is news, but a prophecy."

In this context, candidate Oh mentioned the possibility of suspending budget support for TBS in an interview with a media outlet last month. He said, "If I become mayor, I will fix what needs to be fixed," adding, "It could take the form of not providing budget support to TBS."

Also, in an interview with 'Yonhap News' on the 28th, he said, "Kim can continue hosting 'News Factory' if he wants, but he should focus on traffic information broadcasting," explaining, "The purpose of establishing TBS was to provide traffic and lifestyle information. During my tenure, there was no current affairs program like 'News Factory'." This suggests that while the program may not be forcibly stopped, its role could be reduced.

The ruling party immediately pushed back. Comments about broadcast programming from the political sphere are seen as potential media suppression.

Earlier, when the controversy over biased reporting by 'News Factory' flared up mainly from the opposition in January, Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Cheong-rae wrote on his Facebook, "Kim Eo-jun, don't be scared," emphasizing, "Are you going to abolish 'News Factory'? You want to suppress the broadcast? That won't happen."

Fellow party member Woo Sang-ho also defended Kim in a Facebook post, saying, "Although Kim Eo-jun's tendencies and style differ from typical journalists, he is a broadcaster with a clear philosophy based on facts."

Democratic Party Seoul mayoral candidate Park Young-sun is speaking at the first TV debate with People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon on the 29th. / Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers [Image source=Yonhap News]

Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate running for Seoul mayor, appeared on TBS's 'News Factory' on the 25th and responded directly, saying, "The issue of stopping TBS broadcast support is not something the mayor can do," adding, "The issue of stopping TBS support requires amending ordinances in the Seoul Metropolitan Council. (Candidate Oh) cannot even distinguish between what a mayor can and cannot do."

In an interview with 'YTN' on the 27th, she also criticized, "Such remarks suppressing a media outlet are very backward-looking," and pointed out, "Oh, who was effectively ousted by Seoul citizens 10 years ago over the free school meal issue, still holds outdated values."

Within the ruling party, voices have emerged urging support for Park to protect 'News Factory.' Democratic Party lawmaker Song Young-gil recently wrote on his Facebook, "News Factory could disappear. The highest-rated broadcast in history could vanish."

He added, "Are you afraid of a morning without Kim Eo-jun? The power to overcome this fear is our vote," emphasizing, "Only Park Young-sun."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.