[Editorial] Fulfilling Duty of Journalism for Social Justice

We are living in an era inundated with various opinions and arguments. The press, however, is facing a crisis. People are worrying about possible social confusion caused by the press releasing "unfiltered" opinions and allegations via diverse media. Due to differences in views and positions, hostility is felt even among members of the journalism industry, leaving almost no room for diverse voices to be heard. Today, the Dong-A Ilbo celebrates its 83rd anniversary. But the reality is that most of the press is not in a mood to celebrate it at all.

It is hardly deniable that South Korean journalists themselves called for their weakened role as "social agenda" and public opinion makers. The Dong-A Ilbo, which has led journalism in Korea ever since its birth, acknowledges its responsibility for this current situation. With internal and external circumstances changing rapidly, South Korean journalists have to look back on their past and set new roads for the future.

The Dong-A Ilbo was the light for all Koreans during the Japanese occupation. It envisioned to Koreans those roads in achieving democracy, and our own culture and ideology. Even after the occupation period, the newspaper had to fight through military dictatorship and other hardships. Nonetheless, it has always moved toward innovation and progress to envision a better future for the whole nation. At the same time, the Dong-A Ilbo has also tried to maintain conservatism and stability by balancing our society, if it was tipped toward one side, or slowing it down when it was moving forward too fast. What motivated the Dong-A Ilbo through all of this lies in its concern for prosperity and safety of the whole nation.

The wall between ideologies has collapsed. Thus, the Dong-A Ilbo does not consider the discrepancy between liberals and conservatives a confrontation; rather the two different views are making up for each other. The ideological differences should no longer lead to division and hatred as between enemies and allies. If that continues, it will hinder national integration and throw clouds over the future of our people. It is true, however, that there are some values that must not be compromised. The principles of democracy surely constitute the core of our Constitution.

As pronounced in the special contribution commemorating the anniversary, The Dong-A Ilbo was born into the world as a hope and motivating force for all Koreans, and has kept itself open to diverse voices and possibilities. That is also why the Dong-A Ilbo sincerely wishes the success of the Roh administration.

In other words, the Dong-A Ilbo does not wish to see yet another administration ending up as a failure, throwing its citizens into hardship again. History will surely remember our efforts to assist this new fledging administration to "land softly and safely," which got launched in the middle of unstable surroundings in and outside Korea.

Nevertheless, President Roh mentioned jealousy and persecution by some newspapers. We can only be perplexed about this. The Dong-A Ilbo does not persecute or hate anyone out of jealousy, since the newspaper itself has been the frequent victim of difficulties and problems. It is regrettable that President Roh mistook our constructive criticism of malpractice and suspicious actions by the government for jealousy and persecution.

In return, the people in power may ask, "Are you, journalists, really free of errors?" Of course not, but the roles are different. The press provides "source and material" input for the decision-making process. But it is the government that determines which output should be created and enforced, which, in turn, could determine the future of the whole nation. In addition, readers criticize and "scold" the press every day.

John Stuart Mill said that “we confidently believe that the right to express freely in writing is the holiest right coming before any other rights.” Any standards, conservative or progressive, cannot tailor freedom of speech. Simultaneously, however, we will wholeheartedly accept readers` critical comments on journalism in South Korea, and turn it into food for growth.

All Dong-A Ilbo employees, hereby pronounce that our eyes will be fixed on the citizens of Korea. We will help the administration when it fixes its eyes on its citizens. Otherwise, we will roll up our sleeves to scold it back to where it should be.

Second, we will keep reminding ourselves of the duty and rights of the press: checking power as not to let it be derailed. Thus, we will, without any hesitation, give bitter advice to the administration.

Third, we will not bottle up our legitimate anger against the abuse and corruption on the part of the people in power. Especially, we will never let go of or give up on our trust in freedom of speech.

Furthermore, we will not let ourselves be off guard against corruption in order to stand bravely in the face of corruption in society. We will wipe all bias from our minds. Faced with every crisis, The Dong-A Ilbo has turned it into an opportunity to renovate itself. Now, here, it promises again to continue serving as a transparent window through which people see the world.