President Lee Opposes Punitive Damages Targeting Only the Media... Industry Groups "Welcome"

Statement by Nine Organizations Including the Journalists Association of Korea
President's Message on the Amendment to the Press Arbitration Act Deemed "Positive"

Nine media industry organizations, including the Journalists Association of Korea, stated that they view President Lee Jaemyung's remarks positively after he addressed the controversy surrounding the 'Amendment to the Press Arbitration Act' during a press conference marking his 100th day in office on September 11. President Lee said, "The current amendment targets only the media, providing grounds for claims of media oppression," and added, "Do not touch the Press Arbitration Act regarding compensation."

In a statement released on the same day, these media organizations said, "We welcome President Lee's proposal that, unless it was intentional, punitive damages should not be imposed for gross negligence." They added, "We agree with President Lee's view that the scope of regulation should be as narrow and clear as possible, but responsibility must be imposed for the intentional dissemination of false information." The statement continued, "While emphasizing the importance of freedom of the press and freedom of expression, we also agree with the intention to strengthen the social responsibility of the media and to hold those who engage in maliciously false reporting strictly accountable."

Earlier that morning, during the press conference at the Blue House State Guest House marking his 100th day in office, President Lee stated, "We should not target gross negligence, but only clear cases, and compensation should be imposed generally, not just targeting the media." He further emphasized, "Mistakes and intentional acts must be distinguished. From a legal perspective, even in cases of gross negligence, punitive damages are unjust if the act was not intentional."

The media industry organizations said, "The President's remarks today suggest that the framework for the amendment, which has been discussed so far, will undergo significant changes." They added, "We once again urge the Democratic Party to withdraw its deadline for amendment before Chuseok and to engage in in-depth discussions with civil society and media organizations."

They continued, "Concerns remain in the media field regarding the issue of punitive damages against those in power and the 'presumption of intent' requirement, both of which have been controversial in the Press Arbitration Act." They reiterated, "We emphasize again the principle that the media's role in monitoring and checking power as a whole must not be undermined due to the problems caused by a very small 'specific group.'"

The statement was issued in the name of nine organizations: the Korea Broadcasting Journalists Association, the National Union of Media Workers, the Journalists Association of Korea, the Korea Broadcasting Cameramen Association, the Korea Press Photographers Association, the Korea Video Journalists Association, the Korea Video Editors Association, the Korea News Editors Association, and the Korea Producers and Directors Association.