"Victim Relief" vs "Gag on the Media"... Ruling and Opposition Parties at an Impasse over Media Arbitration Act Passage

Do Jong-hwan, Chairman of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, is presiding over the full committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th. At this full committee meeting, the amendment to the Media Arbitration Act, which focuses on applying punitive damages for false and fabricated reports, will be reviewed. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The ruling and opposition parties discussed the "Amendment to the Press Arbitration Act," which applies punitive damages up to five times for fake news, at the full meeting of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, but failed to narrow their differences.

The People Power Party maintained its opposition, saying it "muzzles the press," while the Democratic Party emphasized that it is a "bill to protect innocent victims."

First, Lee Dal-gon, the People Power Party's floor leader, sharply criticized, "This bill is a regulation on press arbitration, but in reality, it is a bad law regulating media organizations." Regarding the subcommittee's approval on the 27th of last month, Lee also pointed out, "It is difficult to accept it as a (legal) resolution because the ruling party approved it unilaterally."

Choi Hyung-doo, a People Power Party lawmaker, said, "This bill could be subject to constitutional review and jurisdictional dispute adjudication," and emphasized, "The related criminal penalties under the Criminal Act are much more appropriate methods for victim relief." Kim Ye-ji argued, "It infringes on freedom of the press and will act as a serious obstacle to realizing liberal democracy."

On the other hand, Park Jung, the Democratic Party's floor leader, expressed regret that "the subcommittee proceedings were not smooth," but explained, "This is not about punishing the press, but holding them accountable when they make false or fabricated reports." Im Oh-kyung likened the responsibility of media companies to the harm caused by fake news as minimal, saying, "It's like putting a band-aid on a victim with multiple fractures all over their body."

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