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.
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.
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