Baek Seungah of the Democratic Party of Korea Issues Written Briefing
Describes Passage of Three Broadcasting Laws as "A Historic First Step Toward Media Reform"
Vows to Ensure Complete Independence and Freedom of Public Broadcasting
The Democratic Party of Korea evaluated the passage of the three broadcasting laws, with the Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) Act being the last to pass the National Assembly plenary session, as "a historic first step toward media reform."
On the 22nd, Baek Seungah, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, stated in a written briefing, "Today, the National Assembly plenary session completed the processing of the three broadcasting laws," adding, "This is a historic first step toward media reform to restore the independence and freedom of the press."
At the plenary session, the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act was passed with 179 votes in favor and 1 against out of 180 members present. The three broadcasting laws refer to the Broadcasting Act, the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act.
Spokesperson Baek said, "The Yoon Suk-yeol administration, including Lee Jinsook, the chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission who has positioned herself as a conservative warrior, attempted to seize control of public broadcasting through parachute appointments and personnel aligned with their interests." She continued, "Furthermore, the administration blocked legislative efforts for media reform in the National Assembly by exercising the presidential veto."
She added, "The People Power Party, which sided with those who colluded in the rebellion, was no different in obstructing the passage of media reform legislation," and went on to say, "Song Eonseok, the emergency committee chairperson, even went so far as to make the absurd claim that this is a 'cartel regime' comparable to the media consolidation under the new military government."
She emphasized, "It is absurd to claim media control when the government and the ruling party are being asked to give up their vested interests," adding, "This is the height of shamelessness and nothing more than false agitation for outdated politics."
She further stated, "A party that is the successor to the new military regime and collaborated with the ringleaders of the rebellion who ordered the cutting off of power and water to media outlets has no right to make such reckless remarks," and pledged, "The Democratic Party of Korea will ensure the complete independence and true freedom of public broadcasting and the media, and return public broadcasting to the people."
Spokesperson Baek promised, "No matter what obstacles we face on this path, we will overcome them," and vowed, "To open a new era where the people are the true owners, we will see through comprehensive social reform and media reform to the end."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
