Formation of Working Group Ahead of Launching Media Self-Regulation Organization

In September last year, Kim Dong-hoon, chairman of the Korea Journalists Association, read a statement at a joint press conference held by media organizations (Broadcast Journalists Union, National Union of Media Workers, Korea Journalists Association, Korea Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association, Korea Newspaper Association, Korea Women Journalists Association, Korea Internet Newspaper Association) to strengthen media self-regulation. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Ahead of the official launch of the integrated media self-regulation organization, domestic media groups have formed a consultative body to discuss the organization's operational direction and other matters.

The self-regulation organization includes eight media groups: the Broadcast Journalists Union, the National Union of Mediaworkers, the Korea Journalists Association, the Korea Broadcasting Association, the Korea Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association, the Korea Newspaper Association, the Korea Women Journalists Association, and the Korea Internet Newspaper Association. The working research committee, launched on the 19th, is led by Kim Dong-hoon, president of the Korea Journalists Association, and Kang Hong-jun, secretary-general of the Korea Newspaper Association. The committee will conduct research and investigations to smoothly operate the upcoming self-regulation organization and provide direction. The working research committee includes the Broadcast Journalists Union, the Mediaworkers Union, the Journalists Association, the Broadcasting Association, the Newspaper Association, and the Internet Newspaper Association.

To ensure the organization's effectiveness, multifaceted review work will also be conducted. At the first meeting, various media self-regulatory bodies and statutory regulatory organizations operating domestically were reviewed. It was decided to resolve issues of overlapping review functions and double regulation. Additionally, with the March presidential election approaching, plans were made to meet presidential candidates and sign agreements to ensure that the new government guarantees the functions and independence of the integrated media self-regulation organization.

The organization will decide the launch timing in line with the point when the working research committee's review activities show results. The organization stated, "The working team was formed to implement and achieve the contents prepared by the research committee so far," adding, "It will be operated to prevent the purpose from being undermined due to conflicts with existing self-regulation bodies."