By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has criticized the Lee Myung-bak government for interfering with the media by replacing the heads of broadcasting companies with those favorable to it.
``According to the IFJ local affiliate, the Journalists' Association of Korea (JAK), the Lee government, which took over in February, is trying to manipulate the media to suit its political stance by appointing executives to state-run broadcasting and some key public enterprises who are his supporters,'' the journalists' group said Tuesday.
The statement comes amid the government's pressure on state-run public broadcaster KBS President Jung Yun-joo to resign. Jung, who was appointed by former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, has been critical of the conservative Lee administration. The Board of Audit and Inspection recommended the dismissal of Jung to the broadcaster's board of directors, Tuesday, saying Jung mismanaged the firm and abused his authority.
The IFJ also noted that the Lee government hand-picked heads of other media units including digital satellite TV service provider Sky Life; 24-hour cable news channel YTN; English-language TV network Arirang TV; and Korea Broadcasting Advertising Corp.
``There is a feeling that the bosses of Korean media are being systematically replaced by government cronies. If that happens, it will be a catastrophe for press freedom in the country,'' Aidan White, IFJ general secretary, said in the statement.
The group also showed concern over the dispute surrounding MBC's investigative program ``PD Notebook,'' which is under investigation for broadcasting ``false'' information about mad cow disease and American beef.
The IFJ said that the Lee government is trying to control television programs that are critical of the government and that this dictatorial behavior over media policy has seen no improvement despite protests by JAK and civic groups.
``The situation is unacceptable and must change. It will be a disaster if Korea returns to the oppressive policies of the past. And we call on the Korean government to stop controlling media and to support the efforts of Korean journalists to build press freedom and social justice,'' White said.