With "Media Arbitration Act is not gagging... Considering vote processing"

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 30th, the Democratic Party of Korea announced its plan to pass the 'Amendment to the Media Arbitration Act,' which allows for up to five times damages for false or fabricated reports.

On the 30th, Kim Seung-won, the Democratic Party's Media Special Committee secretary and a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, said at a press briefing on the Media Arbitration Act in the afternoon, "We will continue to make efforts in the standing committee (to gain opposition cooperation), but if it does not work, I think we will have to proceed with a vote."

He actively refuted criticisms that the bill is to 'gag the media.' Kim said, "In cases of false reports against political power or large corporate power, responsibility is imposed not only for intentional or gross negligence but also if there is 'malice,' which is a condition that did not exist before," adding, "This is to allow journalists to criticize more freely."

He also emphasized the promotion of the 'abolition of defamation by stating facts' bill. Kim said, "If the reporter cross-checks with the subject of the report before publishing the article, they will not be punished for defamation."

Regarding the establishment of the internet 'article viewing blocking right' as a remedy for media damage, he explained, "If the party requests, the Media Arbitration Committee will convene to hear both sides and block the article. The review decision will take about 10 days," adding, "The article will not be deleted or taken down immediately."

On concerns about abuse of correction requests, he said, "We will make the enforcement decree detailed." Regarding the controversy over exempting the burden of proof, he only said, "This will be supplemented as it is determined by presidential decree."

On concerns that investigative reporting might be suppressed, he emphasized, "If the party is asked for a rebuttal and even 3-4 lines of response are included in the article, it will be difficult to judge that there was intentional or gross negligence. I can confidently say there is almost no concern about liability for damages."

He also revealed plans to meet soon with opposing media organizations. Kim said, "It seems they do not know that defamation by stating facts is being abolished, so I plan to meet and explain. There are many regulations in our law linking damage calculation to sales when it is difficult to determine the amount of damages," adding, "If concerns are valid, we will supplement them in the standing committee. We will be flexible."

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