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Wed, March 29, 2023 | 18:53
-------------------------
New online censorship rule causes stir
온라인 명예훼손글 심의 확대…'검열' 논란은 여전
Posted : 2015-12-11 16:55
Updated : 2015-12-11 19:27
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By Chung Hyun-chae

A new rule enabling third parties to request reviews of defamatory online postings for removal is igniting dispute.

Authorities say the measure is aimed at effectively dealing with libel cases in cyberspace, but opponents say it can be misused by the government to remove comments critical of it.

The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) approved the revision to the broadcasting communication regulation late Thursday. The new rule will take effect on Wednesday.

Under the current rule, only victims of online defamation or their representatives can request a KCSC review of problematic online content. After a review, the KCSC decides whether to leave the disputed content alone or order website operators to remove it.

Under the new rule, a third party can request such review, and the KCSC can investigate on its own discretion if necessary.

"We believe that lowering requirements to request a review will better protect the rights and interests of victims," a commission official said.

For example, he cited numerous cases where sex videos of ordinary citizens are leaked and spread online.

"It is difficult for the victims to find every website where the footage is posted and request a review from us, because such videos spread quickly," said with the official.

And under the changes, victims can request a review for only parts of such websites, and the KCSC's monitoring agents will look further into the case and request its own reviews, according to the official.

"We felt the need to protect the socially weak including senior citizens and women from cyber defamation," said Park Hyo-chong, chairman of the commission.

However, some have raised concerns that this would infringe on online freedom of expression, as the government, high-profile policymakers and their supporters can abuse the system and request reviews of postings criticizing or lampooning them.

"I am concerned that the new system could be abused by certain parties or groups to delete or forestall public opinion," a civic group member said. "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression."

Rep. You Seung-hee of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy added, "If healthy criticism becomes subject to review for libel, public opinion will lose its power."

Reflecting such arguments, the commission changed another clause so that only the people concerned or their representatives can ask for review of libelous content in the case of public figures.

"Public figures" here include presidents, high-profile government officials, political party leaders, large corporation CEOs and heads of public and financial organizations.

However, the exception has yet to be stipulated in the law and thus is not binding, so concerns remain.

"The government is trying to silence Internet users ahead of next year's general elections," a blogger said.



온라인 명예훼손글 심의 확대…'검열' 논란은 여전

방송통신심의위원회가 10일 '정보통신에 관한 심의 규정' 개정안을 의결하면서 앞으로 인터넷상 명예훼손 글에 대한 심의 범위가 대폭 확대될 전망이다.

그러나 일각에서는 근본적인 표현의 자유 침해라는 논란이 여전히 일고 있어 개정안 시행 이후에도 논란이 쉽게 가라앉지 않을 것으로 보인다.

개정안에 따르면 앞으로는 당사자나 그 대리인 외에 제3자가 방심위에 온라인 명예훼손 글에 대한 심의 신청을 할 수 있다. 필요에 따라 위원회가 직권으로 심의를 개시할 수도 있다. 

다만 구체적인 직권 심의 범위는 사회적 공감대 형성과 함께 위원회가 추가적인 논의 과정을 거칠 것으로 보인다. '검열' 논란이 불거질 수 있는 가장 민감한 영역이기 때문이다.

방심위는 개정안으로 효과를 보게 될 대표적 사례로 성행위 동영상 확산 차단을 들고 있다.

기존에는 일반인의 성행위 동영상이 인터넷상에 유포된 경우 피해 당사자나 그 대리인이 일일이 동영상이 올라온 사이트를 찾아내어서 심의 신청을 해야 했다.

온라인 성격상 동영상이 한번 공개되면 순식간에 많은 이용자가 복사, 공유하는데다 전파 경로가 웹하드, 토렌트, 소셜네트워킹서비스(SNS) 등 다양하기 때문에 개인이 전부 찾아내기엔 사실상 어려움이 있었다.

이런 과정에서 피해자가 동영상을 반복적으로 접해야 하는 탓에 고통을 겪다 아예 대행업체에 맡기는 경우도 생겨났다.

개정안이 시행되면 피해자가 일부 사이트만 심의 신청을 해도 방심위 내부 모니터링 요원들이 투입돼 더 광범위한 조사할 수 있게 된다. 현재 방심위에는 66명의 모니터링 요원이 근무하고 있다.

방심위 관계자는 '개정안 시행 이후 수요를 파악해 예산 범위에서 모니터링 요원을 보충할지를 검토할 계획'이라고 말했다.

이에 앞서 올 7월 개정 절차를 시작한 이후 시민단체를 중심으로 표현의 자유 침해라는 비판이 제기됐다.

대통령과 고위공직자 등 공인에 대한 비판·풍자 글이 제3자인 지지자들이나 단체의 고발 남발로 대거 심의 대상에 올라 비판 여론을 신속하게 삭제·차단하는 수단으로 남용될 수 있다는 것이다.

이런 지적이 일자 방심위는 '명예훼손 관련 통신심의제도 개선안'을 함께 의결해 공적 인물에 대한 명예훼손 심의 신청은 당사자 또는 그 대리인만이 할 수 있도록 제한했다.

그러나 개선안이 명문화된 규정이 아니어서 사실상 강제력이 없다는 점을 고려하면 일각의 우려를 완전히 씻어내긴 어려워 보인다.

명예훼손글이 법원의 확정 판결을 받았으면 공적 인물이어도 제3자 신고가 가능하도록 한 점은 특정 표현이 들어갔다는 이유로 포괄적 심의 대상이 되는 등의 문제를 낳을 소지가 있다.

이지은 참여연대 공익법센터 간사는 '공적 인물을 제한한 통신심의제도는 명문화한 규정이 아니고 방심위가 전체회의를 열어 언제든지 뒤집을 수 있는 사안'이라며 실효성에 의문을 제기했다.

이 간사는 '위원장이 공적 인물이 법원의 확정 판결을 받았어도 포괄적 심의를 하지 않고 대상을 지정해 심의하겠다고 했지만, 이 역시 명문화하지 않아 심의위원들의 직업적 양심에 맡겨야 하는 상황'이라고 지적했다.

그는 '임명권자의 영향력에서 자유로울 수 없는 행정기관이 통신심의를 하는 것 자체가 부적절하다'면서 '근본적으로 통신심의를 폐지해야 한다'고 말했다. (연합뉴스)
Emailhcchung@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
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