The issue of raising the subscription fee for KBS, the national public broadcaster, has emerged as a hot potato after the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) chief agreed on the need to raise the fee that has been frozen at 2,500 won ($2.08) for 40 years.
In a July 20 National Assembly hearing, KCC Chairman Han Sang-hyuk said it would be impossible to resolve the difficulties of terrestrial broadcasters just through a few deregulatory measures, including allowing them to broadcast commercials. Han made the remarks in response to a question from Rep. Woo Sang-ho of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, who proposed that KBS reduce its advertising time in return for raising the subscription fee.
KBS can raise the long-held subscription fee, if necessary. But the essential prerequisite for this is whether KBS is playing the role of a public broadcaster properly. Our answer to that is no. A day before Han's remarks at the National Assembly, KBS issued an apology on its 9 p.m. news program for broadcasting an unconfirmed report alleging collusion between a senior prosecutor and a former reporter who is now under arrest.
It is undeniable that KBS has lost fairness and balance by reporting in favor of the ruling camp. On July 21, even the broadcaster's union lashed out at the collusion report, accusing KBS of acting as the administration's “propaganda speaker.” This reflects the feelings of the public sickened by the broadcaster's biased reporting, especially since Moon took office in 2017.
KBS is reported to be struggling with financial woes. There could be many reasons, but the most important reason is certainly its failure to win public confidence. So the time is not ripe for KBS to raise its subscription fee. The broadcaster and the administration should proactively take measures so that KBS can properly play the role of a public broadcaster before asking viewers to pay more.