Min Hyung-bae: "Government Advertising, Increasing Neglect of Local Media"

"Revitalizing Local Newspapers to Prepare for Decentralization and Regional Disappearance"

Min Hyung-bae Congressman

The proportion of government advertisements placed in national newspapers has increased, while that in local newspapers has decreased.

According to the "Status of Government Advertisement Placement in National and Local Newspapers" submitted by the Korea Press Foundation to Min Hyung-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Gwangju Gwangsan District), government advertisements placed in national newspapers in 2022 amounted to 122.664 billion KRW, accounting for 54.0% of the total. Subsequently, national newspapers recorded 137.015 billion KRW (57.3%) in 2023, and as of the end of August this year, 81.763 billion KRW, accounting for 58%. This is a 4% increase compared to two years ago.

On the other hand, the share of local newspapers in government advertisements has been steadily declining. Local newspapers secured 104.633 billion KRW (46%) in 2022 and 101.961 billion KRW (42.7%) in 2023. This year, as of the end of August, the amount stands at 59.129 billion KRW (42%).

There is also a serious regional disparity. From 2022 to the end of August this year, local newspapers based in Yeongnam secured 100.9 billion KRW in advertising revenue, whereas local newspapers in Honam received only 33.515 billion KRW, which is about one-third of the Yeongnam amount.

Representative Min stated, "Local newspapers do not merely serve as channels for information delivery but play an important role as public forums in local communities, contributing significantly to improving the quality of life of local residents." He emphasized, "Revitalizing local newspapers is essential to strengthening decentralization and preparing for regional extinction."

Meanwhile, among the 1.30234 trillion KRW in government advertisements executed last year, internet advertisements accounted for the largest share at 339.444 billion KRW (25.4%), followed closely by broadcast advertisements at 338.8 billion KRW (25.3%). Print and outdoor advertisements followed in order.