Despite Concerns from Various Sectors, Ruling Party Stands Firm on the 'Media Arbitration Act'

Democratic Party "No Problem with Normal Media Companies"... Reaffirms Position to Pass in August National Assembly
People Power Party Emphasizes "In-Depth Discussion"... Concerns Raised from Media, Labor, and Academia

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[Asia Economy Reporters Bomryeong Geum and Jinyoung Jeon] While various sectors emphasize the need for "in-depth discussions" regarding the ruling party's forced passage of the amendment to the "Act on the Mediation and Relief of Damage in the Press," the Democratic Party of Korea remains firm on processing it in the August National Assembly session.

On the morning of the 29th, Park Wanju, the Democratic Party's Policy Committee Chair, stated at the policy coordination meeting, "Normal media companies are not a problem at all. If the content and purpose of the bill are properly understood, it cannot be misrepresented as a 'gag law for the press.'" He urged, "We hope the opposition party will actively cooperate so that the Media Arbitration Act can pass the plenary session." Despite concerns voiced not only by the opposition but also by the media, academia, and labor sectors after the bill passed the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's subcommittee on the 27th, the ruling party reaffirmed its resolve not to be swayed by such public opinion. Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon also supported the bill in an interview on KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs," saying, "If the media had reformed itself more, it wouldn't have come to this," and added, "From the perspective of citizens harmed by the media, damage recovery is difficult. If I were an active journalist, I would have welcomed it."

The People Power Party (PPP) takes the stance of "allowing time for discussion." Lee Dalgon, the PPP's floor spokesperson on the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "We can listen to various opinions and make amendments if alternatives come out, but problems arise because the Democratic Party is rushing to push it through, conscious of the election." Seo Byung-soo also said on BBS Radio's "Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal," "I believe this is a law that the ruling and opposition parties should sit down and discuss in depth before proceeding."

The PPP has clearly stated that it is not "unconditionally opposed." At the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's subcommittee on the 27th, the PPP reached agreements with the ruling party on two of the seven contentious issues. However, they consider the punitive damages of up to five times, the introduction of the right to request blocking of access, and the use of media companies' revenue in calculating damages as "excessive." PPP lawmaker Choi Hyung-doo emphasized, "Currently, the Media Arbitration Act already provides for appropriate damages, and media companies are subject to criminal penalties, so the current system is sufficient for punishment."

The media sector also agrees that more time is needed. There should be a process to create a "master plan" by establishing a social public discussion body that includes media collaboration stakeholders, political parties, and citizen representatives. Yoon Chang-hyun, chairman of the National Union of Media Workers, explained on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus," "While not infringing on freedom of expression, there needs to be in-depth discussion on how to minimize the distribution of problematic false and manipulated information, especially how to regulate YouTube and social networking services (SNS), which are regulatory blind spots." Five media organizations?the Korea Newspaper Association, Korea Newspaper Editors Association, Korea Journalists Association, Korea Women Journalists Association, and Korea Internet Newspaper Association?also immediately called for a halt to the bill's amendment, labeling it an "unconstitutional Media Arbitration Act that gags the press."

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