Injeong+Baek+-+New+Media+Legislation+Law+in+Korea

Injeong Baek CCT205 February 5th 2009 Individual Research Assignment **__The New Media Legislation Law Proposal in Korea__**  Ben Hecht once said “Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading the newspaper is like trying to tell the time by watching the second hand of a clock.” What is portrayed in media coverage is not always trustworthy; it can manipulate a person’s mind by continuously injecting false information. In February 2008, Lee Myung Park became the president of Republic of Korea. Since the beginning of his presidency, numerous issues have arisen, prompting citizens of Korea to disagree with a number of his political measures . The most recent issue tackled by President Lee’s Grand National Party (GNP) regarding inaccurate media coverage is the proposal of New Media Legislation Law in October 2008.   The GNP and its opposing party, the Democratics, have been debating over this legislation since the first day of its proposal, and Korean citizens have been ardently discussing the legislation for the past few months. The Media Legislation Law proposal includes allowing Major newspaper companies and Multinational corporations (MNCs) to have partial ownership of television broadcasting companies. They can own up to 20% for major broadcasting companies and up to 49% for cable channel companies. GNP asserts that by allowing MNCs to own part of broadcasting companies, the media industry will grow at a much faster rate, thus helping the economy as a whole. The Democratic Party on the other hand, argues that by giving partial ownership, MNCs can control the media by covering up and preventing themselves from any whistle-blowing occurrences.  The Grand National Party and President Lee proclaims that giving partial ownership to major newspaper companies and multinational corporations, broadcasting companies will expand faster, benefitting from more money and resources. As a result, a wider variety of channels will become available to the people. New jobs will also be created from the creation of new broadcasting companies. Through the growth of media industries, the value of Korean brand television programs will increase and gain more acknowledgement from foreign countries. Korea will be able to stand stronger in the competitive global media market. President Lee also points out that other prosperous countries like the United States and some European countries also allow MNCs to have partial ownership, in his effort to prove that the implanting of this law is a necessary measure to take.  Despite the benefits expected of the New Media Legislation Law made by President Lee and the Grand National Party, the opposing Democratic Party and a large number of Korean citizens are outraged by these moves. They state that by allowing MNCs to have partial ownership, they can cover up their actions and hide the truth for their own benefit. “So in simple terms: TV broadcasting companies will not report Samsung’s misconduct because of their investment. People will never find out what really happened” said one of the representatives leading the strike. Also, objectors assert that through this law, Korea will turn into a dictatorship government because of the immense control President Lee and the wealthy people will have over the media. It is already a challenge to gain knowledge about any scandalous truths happening inside the government or large corporations through the media, but with the passing of this legislation, it will be impossible. Protestors also argue that the GNP is already taking action to eliminate people who are against their ideologies. Examples include the shutting down of a program called the “PD Pocket Book,” which once broadcasted the corruption of government parties and politics. As well, the senior president of KBS, one of the three major broadcasting companies has been replaced. Rumours are that he did not ‘listen’ to the government so he has been replaced with someone who is willing to follow and agree with the government. Another reason for opposing this legislation is that the broadcasting companies will only create shows that are more provocative and popular to the general public, and less mainstream programs with a smaller viewer audience and less profit gain such as documentaries will slowly fade away. <span style="font-family: '맑은 고딕'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <span style="font-family: '맑은 고딕'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> To prevent this legislation from happening, another one of the three major television broadcasting companies, MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corp.), has started a strike to prevent it. Even though “the strike is jeopardizing soap operas and most entertainment programs at one of the country’s largest broadcasting companies” (reference) and MBC is losing its profit, they feel that it is necessary to step forward and take action to put a stop to such wrongdoing. Many program directors, singers, actors, news anchors and citizens of Korea gathered in front of Bo-Sin-Gak on December 31th, 2008 and January 1st, 2009, and began the strike. Bo-Sin-Gak, originally a place for people to gather and celebrate New Years turned into the grounds for thousands of angry people holding signs with slogans such as “adieu 2008, adieu Lee Myung Park!” Many hold candle lights and are shouting for Lee Myung Park to withdraw from his presidency and for the dismissal of the Grand National Party. <span style="font-family: '맑은 고딕'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <span style="font-family: '맑은 고딕'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Supporters for this legislation hold different opinions on this issue. They argue that television broadcasting companies are against this law because it causes income reduction for individuals. Also supporters believe that program directors are exaggerating the negative impact through television shows, thus leading people to believe that what the government is doing is all wrong and are luring citizens with the false idea of ‘media industry development’. Nowadays even little children who are oblivious to politics are bad mouthing the president and his politics. They do not know the details and the reasoning behind his actions but because the media exaggerates and continuously instills this information, they believe President Lee’s actions are all wrong. Therefore the GNP argues that these actions have to be stopped. Also through this legislation, the cost of casting stars and commercial advertisements will cost less, causing a reduction of prices on those advertised products. GNP also believes that because the new president’s actions are different than previous measures taken, people just need to adjust to the change, and when they have adapted to it, they will see President Lee’s reasoning behind his actions. <span style="font-family: '맑은 고딕'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <span style="font-family: '맑은 고딕'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Since the beginning of the proposal for the <span style="color: black; font-family: '맑은 고딕'; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">New Media Legislation Law <span style="font-family: '맑은 고딕'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">at the end of 2008, the GNP and the Democratic Party have clearly defined their opinions and neither side shows signs of withdrawing from them. Even the people of the Republic of Korea have been very opinionated on this matter, with a majority being displeased with the idea. This issue has led to much argument and disorder; therefore the Government has decided to take a break and resume the debate after the New Year when everything is more settled. <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;">

__December 31th 2008 infront of Bo-Sin-Gak where Strike has been held__ <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: '맑은 고딕'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: '맑은 고딕'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;">

<span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> media type="youtube" key="xMSHSLi3AsY" height="344" width="425" <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;">Bibliography <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> __<span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ansi-language: EN;">2008 Adieu Korea __<span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ansi-language: EN;">. __YouTube__. 31 Dec. 2008. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMSHSLi3AsY>. <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;">Hecht, Ben __Media Quotes, Journalism Sayings__ < <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;">http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/3019/?letter=a&page=1&spage=8&s=info> <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Sennitt, Andy. "Korean broadcast unions to strike against media legislation bills." __Media Network__ 25 Dec. 2008. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/korean-broadcast-unions-to-strike-against-media-legislation-bills>. <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"MBC President Urges End to Strike." __English Chosun__ 6 Jan. 2009. National/Politics. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200901/200901060021.html>. <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;">Park, Si-Soo. "Unionized Actors, Singers Strike at MBC." __Korea Times__ 26 Dec. 2008. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://absolutshinhwa.wordpress.com/2008/12/26/081226-korea-times-unionized-actors-singers-strike-at-mbc/>. <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"Re: What is MBC strike?" Weblog comment. __NAVER__. 27 Dec. 2008. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://kin.naver.com/detail/detail.php?d1id=6&dir_id=614&eid=NjOcbaEOMFah0YqsCYfQlRLW8ihNy5Zj&qb=bWJjIMbEvvc=>. <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Re: After MBC strike." Weblog comment. __NAVER__. 27 Dec. 2008. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://kin.naver.com/detail/detail.php?d1id=13&dir_id=1313&eid=bolGVo7Ewg0DDcfWhx6zyo9ZsVnWKMFp&qb=bWJjIMbEvvc=>. <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Strike in front of Bo-Sin-Gak." Weblog post. __Media Legislation Law Proposal__. 1 Jan. 2009. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://blog.naver.com/ayumimi?Redirect=Log&logNo=40059632050>. <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> __<span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ansi-language: EN;">2008 Adieu Korea __<span style="color: #262a2c; font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ansi-language: EN;">. __YouTube__. 31 Dec. 2008. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMSHSLi3AsY>. <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <span style="font-family: 'Gill Sans MT','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-ansi-language: EN;">