Justice Party Urges Full Reconsideration of Media Arbitration Act

"Will Oppose When Submitted to the Plenary Session After Passing the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 10th, the Justice Party stated that the amendment to the Media Arbitration Act, currently under review at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee plenary session, "must be fully reconsidered."

At the party meeting held at the National Assembly that day, the Justice Party held a discussion on the Media Arbitration Act and summarized its position by saying, "We must actively prevent ordinary citizens from suffering damage due to false media reports, and the media's role in checking and monitoring power must be firmly guaranteed." They also emphasized, "We urge a full reconsideration of the Media Arbitration Act based on the criteria of protecting citizens, guaranteeing freedom of expression, and activating the monitoring of power through the media."

Floor spokesperson Lee Eun-ju held a briefing at the National Assembly Communication Office and said, "The Media Arbitration Act under review by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee from today is powerless to prevent the damage ordinary citizens may suffer from media reports, while providing a means that major power groups in our society can abuse to block critical reports about themselves."

She continued, "Furthermore, there is a significant concern that it may restrict the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression and the press," and stressed, "We oppose the current form of the Democratic Party's Media Arbitration Act and declare that if this law passes the standing committee and is submitted to the plenary session as is, we will oppose it."

Spokesperson Lee added, "Currently, many media labor unions and media civic groups also oppose the Democratic Party's Media Arbitration Act," and said, "It is difficult to agree with the Democratic Party's method of rushing to pass a law that fails to create social consensus."

She pointed out, "Important reform tasks such as improving the governance structure of public broadcasting, expanding the Regional Newspaper Development Fund to foster local newspapers, and amending the Newspaper Act to mandate the establishment of editorial committees and editorial regulations are being maintained as vested interests under the pretext of the People Power Party."

Floor leader Lee delivered a sharp remark, saying, "What the Democratic Party is doing now is undermining the foundation of democracy that we should have in the future."

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