World Association of Newspapers Urges Immediate Halt to Media Arbitration Act Amendment Bill Processing Statement

"South Korean Government and Ruling Party Must Withdraw Media Arbitration Act Amendment"
"Concerns Over Silencing Critical Media and Undermining Democratic Traditions"

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 Sim Nayoung] The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) sent an official statement titled "The global press stands with South Korea's media fighting against 'fake news' legislation" to the Korea Newspaper Association on the 12th.

WAN-IFRA, established in 1948 to promote global press freedom, is the world's largest media organization. Currently, over 15,000 media outlets from more than 60 countries worldwide are members.

In the statement, WAN-IFRA urged, "We call on the South Korean government, ruling party, and related agencies to immediately withdraw the hastily prepared amendment to the Media Arbitration Act aimed at false information," adding, "This amendment risks silencing critical media and undermining South Korea's democratic traditions."

They also expressed concern about "the attempt to define criteria for the so-called 'fake news' publication intent contained in the amendment to the Media Arbitration Act," warning that "the criteria for determining fake news will inevitably lead to abuse of interpretation and may harm freedom of reporting."

Vincent Peyr?gne, CEO of WAN-IFRA, pointed out, "Such types of regulations have been promoted by the most authoritarian regimes in the world and have been used as convenient tools to suppress criticism of political and economic powers. These regulations ultimately infringe on press freedom."

He continued, "We will join forces with media organizations including the Korea Newspaper Association, Kwanhun Club, Korea Journalists Association, Korea Newspaper Editors Association, Korea Women Journalists Association, and Korea Internet Newspaper Association to withdraw amendments that exceed the scope guaranteed by the constitution," expressing concern that "if the amendment proceeds as is, the South Korean government will become the worst authoritarian regime attempting to suppress free and critical discourse under the name of reform."

This statement was released after the Korea Newspaper Association reported the situation regarding the Media Arbitration Act amendment to WAN-IFRA on the 9th. The Korea Newspaper Association has been a member of WAN-IFRA since 1971. WAN-IFRA member organizations share updates and unite to resolve issues when challenges to press freedom arise.

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