By Lee Hyo-sik
MBC’s hiring of freelancer journalists in place of striking reporters is adding further strain to the ongoing conflict between unionized workers and the nation’s second largest broadcaster.
The union of MBC journalists, which has been staging a walkout since Jan. 22, issued a statement Monday, criticizing MBC President Kim Jae-chul and other senior managers for employing contract reporters and announcers.
“We demand MBC immediately stop hiring freelancer journalists. This type of hiring practice is unprecedented in MBC’s 50-year history, and will severely compromise the broadcaster’s fairness and balance in news reporting,” the union said. “This is solely designed to put pressure on striking workers who have been boycotting the production of news and other programs.”
Striking journalists also raised a question about the qualifications of the freelancer journalists hired by the management in recent weeks.
MBC reporters have been staging the strike after 115 out of 137 eligible reporters voted in favor of the walkout. Since then, MBC has not been able to produce news reports and other regular programming, suffering a steep decline in viewership.
Reporters have called for Kim’s resignation, claiming he has turned the broadcaster into a mere government-mouthpiece. They argued that under Kim’s watch, MBC news programs have become silent on important or sensitive news stories concerning the government, and released biased reports on other issues.
In response, MBC management defended its decision to hire reporters and announcers on contract terms, stressing that it has no other choice but to bring in new faces to normalize operations.
“We have been asking striking journalists to return to work over the past two months. But they refuse to do so. They chose to continue to neglect their duties to serve the public,” MBC said. “We cannot just sit and wait for them to return. So, we are forced to find new announcers and reporters to make news and other programs.”
The broadcaster then said those hired are highly qualified to command news and documentary programs.
“All of them underwent intense screening to work for MBC. We are positive that they are capable of fulfilling their tasks. It is not right for the union to make unfounded accusations against new journalists,” it said.
Meanwhile KBS journalists and other staff have been on strike since March 6, calling for the resignation of the company president who has allegedly censored coverage critical of President Lee Myung-bak.
Additionally, reporters at cable news channel YTN have staged a series of partial walkouts since March 6, calling for the reinstatement of dismissed reporters and demanding company President Bae Seok-kyu to step down.