[The Editors' Verdict] Rethinking the Role of Journalists

Lee Mok-hee, Senior Specialist

Jik-eon-gok-pil (直言曲筆). Speaking straightforwardly but writing otherwise. There was a reporter who repeatedly recited this phrase as a creed. His words were sharp during meetings with sources. However, the actual articles were different. At first, I thought, "If that's the case, why become a civil servant instead of choosing journalism as a profession?" But after observing for over a decade, I realized there was some utility. By giving the impression that he did not write harsh articles, sources opened up their true feelings. Some policymakers changed their minds after hearing the unfiltered public sentiment conveyed.

The most feared law in Korea is the law of public sentiment. No matter how pure the intention or how lawful under current statutes, one helplessly falls victim to the waves of public sentiment law. Politicians and businesspeople alike strive to avoid these waves. Yet, regrettable responses continue to emerge. Upon close observation, inbreeding within the same group was a major cause. When only those with similar backgrounds and thoughts gather, it is difficult to expect objective solutions.

In Western countries like the United States, large corporations deploy external risk management teams when major incidents occur. Seeking solutions from a cold, objective perspective brings them closer to the turbulent sea of public sentiment. Recently, Korean companies have been following this trend, considering the cultural characteristic that makes it difficult to speak frankly to owners. Politicians frequently interact with voters. Naturally, they should understand the people's hearts well, but in reality, this is often not the case. I have seen many examples inversely proportional to the size of their power. In politics, as dependence on factional confrontation grows, the phenomenon of inbreeding has become even more pronounced.

I felt exhilaration when articles or columns I wrote changed politicians' thoughts and were reflected in national policies. From that perspective, the recent media situation is regrettable. People first look at which media outlet and who wrote the article or column rather than the content itself. Articles written solely for criticism overflow. At a gathering with members of a conservative media company, someone joked, "They criticize the administration daily through articles, columns, and editorials, but it’s useless. Policies are more likely to change when you praise them for doing well."

The public's right to know is important. Ultimately, the essence of the media should be to contribute toward the common good. However, there are times when, after writing an article or column, one faces the risk of being 'targeted.' Dissatisfied factions bombard with comments, emails, and other forms of harassment. The factional confrontation has become so severe that even advising verbally and conveying public sentiment has become difficult. When attending gatherings with both progressive and conservative figures, the atmosphere becomes awkward. Raising one’s opinion without knowing the other’s tendencies leads to raised voices. Private gatherings of journalists, politicians, and government officials also tend to be among similar groups.

Over a decade ago, I served as the secretary-general of the Kwanhun Club, a group of mid-career journalists. I hoped that the confrontational front between progressive and conservative media outlets would not become too emotional. I campaigned to strengthen communication among frontline reporters at least. We held a forum under the theme "Let's break down the walls." Although it was proposed as an agenda, there was little achievement. Most media companies relied on one side of the confrontational sentiment as their survival base. Divided reporting and divided public sentiment repeatedly led to a vicious cycle.

The rise of sensational media represented by YouTube has further worsened the situation. Even the media’s lifeblood?pursuit of truth?is becoming blurred. What justice is has become unclear, and stubborn claims abound. The space for traditional journalists has gradually narrowed. One consolation is that many upright and intelligent junior reporters stand out. Even if the media environment is unsatisfactory, I hope they persevere and continue to advance. What I have certainly felt through my journalism career is that despite ups and downs, history progresses. Let us consider the current confusion as a painful process toward authentic journalism.