The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has drawn criticism for submitting a package of bills that would undermine freedom of the press following its humiliating defeat in the April 7 mayoral by-elections in Seoul and Busan. For one thing, the DPK is attempting to put the Press Arbitration Commission (PAC), an independent organization, under the control of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the name of “media reform.” It is also seeking to introduce a bill which it says is to stem “fake news” by imposing incommensurate penalties on media outlets that show such content.
The move is apparently aimed at suppressing the free press and its role in keeping the government and political parties in check. We urge the DPK to scrap the bills as they would seriously damage freedom of speech. The party has already become the target of international criticism for violating freedom of expression by legislating a ban on the flying of anti-Pyongyang leaflets into North Korea across the inter-Korean border.
On Monday, Rep. Choe Kang-wook of the DPK submitted seven media-related bills to the National Assembly Committee for Culture, Sports and Tourism. One of them is a revision bill on press arbitration on damages caused by press reports that would require media firms to pay compensation equivalent to their average daily revenue for making false or distorted reports that constitute slander.
If the revision bill becomes law, the PAC will turn into a committee under the culture ministry and the president will be entitled to choose its head. PAC members have so far elected the chairman. Standing committee members will also be selected by the culture minister and the president.
The bill also stipulates that the number of committee members be increased from the current maximum of 90 to 120 in an apparent bid to include more pro-government figures mainly from certain civic groups. Even the ministry opposes the bill, saying it could infringe on freedom of the press. Minister Hwang Hee has expressed concern, vowing not to accept it.
The ruling camp is apparently seeking to introduce the bills to tame the media outlets ahead of the presidential election scheduled for next March. It is under attack for trying to prevent media companies from producing articles critical of the government and the DPK in the name of thwarting fake news. Former DPK Chairman Lee Nak-yon once said the party will closely monitor media outlets. Yet, it is totally improper to blame the press for its defeat in the by-elections. Ruling party members should first reflect on themselves and humbly acknowledge their mistakes. Above all, they must immediately stop their attempts to control the mass media.