ed A scholar’s anger

EBS has recently decided to discontinue TV lectures by Professor Kim Yong-ok, one of the nation’s most famous scholars.

The government-funded educational channel cites Kim’s lecturing style, especially his overuse of foul language, as reasons for stopping the program.

But ``Dohol” (Kim’s penname) has long been famous for exactly that, his free, candid speech. We rather note the fact that the guru of humanities is suspecting ``external pressure” ― government’s censorship ― behind EBS’s decision.

He squarely criticized, for example, some of the Lee Myung-bak administration’s policies, including its four-river refurbishment project, which Kim described as a ``nation-destroying” work, as well as its hard-line North Korea policy for lacking in ``jungyong,” meaning moderation or middle path, the most important value in Confucianism.

Looking back, one or more TV celebrities ― comedians, singers and MCs ― critical of President Lee and his policy have disappeared from the broadcast scheduling before and during by- and re-elections. Coincidentally or not, we hope Kim’s case is not on its extension.

If Kim’s complaint proves to be true, it’s just sad to think there can be a government that suppresses the freedom of speech and academic pursuits in the 21st century.

EBS must resume Kim’s lecture. Muzzling critical voices harms the administration’s reputation more than anything else.