By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
The chief news editors of the 47 newspaper companies, broadcasters and news agencies nationwide Thursday urged President Roh Moo-hyun to scrap his anachronistic attempt to close pressrooms, which they say will be sure to block media access to government information.
During an emergency meeting to oppose the pressroom closure, the 47 managing editors defined Roh's recent media policy as ``repression of the media'' and a ``practice against the Constitution.''
It is the first time in 48 years for the Korea News Editors' Association (KNEA) to demand freedom of the press since 1959 when the Kyunghyang Shinmun was ordered to cease publication.
Among the participants were managing editors or alternates of The Korea Times, Hankook Ilbo, Munhwa Ilbo, Chosun Ilbo, Kyunghyang Shinmun, Seoul Economic Daily, SBS and Yonhap News.
The four-point statement reads;
First, the association fully supports reporters who have been struggling to scrap the government's plan to shut down pressrooms. The government should immediately scrap a series of media-control policies.
Second, President Roh should immediately dismiss policymakers and his secretaries responsible for the closure of pressrooms. Public officials who took the initiative in trying to limit media freedom should be held accountable for their mistakes even after Roh's tenure ends.
Third, under whatever circumstances, the association will protect the people's right to know by frustrating Roh's media oppression policy. The association members will be ready to make whatever sacrifices or endure hardships. The government's plot to block media access to government agencies will never be accommodated.
Lastly, the association will implement a step-by-step action plan to realize the goal of safeguarding press freedom if the government refuses to accept its sincere and frank appeal.
It said President Roh must sternly censure the relevant civil servants in view of the grave situation. It seems that this statement is regarded as indirect criticism of Roh, who has showed antagonism toward many newspapers and gave the instruction for the closure of the pressrooms.
Most of the participants also denounced the government for moving to prevent journalists from entering government buildings without prior permission.
They said the government is trying to select information, pointing out that the public will ultimately be unable to have access to sufficient news of state affairs if journalists are barred from meeting civil servants.
They expressed concern that the situation may trigger an information-controlled society.
Amid a series of criticism from journalists, scholars, civic groups and politicians over its media policy, the presidential office has threatened to shut down all pressrooms if the media continue to campaign against it.
``If the media continue to carry negative reports on the plan, we will consider closing all pressrooms,'' presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon told reporters.
In its letter to President Roh in June, the International Press Institute (IPI) said, ``If the Korean government cannot be persuaded to change its present course, the IPI is prepared to address this crucial issue at its next board meeting in November.''
The institute said it hopes that Roh will revise the policy to avoid serious damage to South Korea's international reputation, as well as avoid the deep frustration in Korean journalism caused by the measure.