[Editorial] Editors in Chief: Freedom of Speech Will Never Die

The editors in chief of 47 newspapers and broadcasting companies had an emergency meeting of the Korean Newspaper Editors Association yesterday. They declared that they would never submit to the government’s oppression of freedom of speech. They also agreed that the Roh administration’s measure to block access to news sources is far worse than any former dictatorship’s.

The association was formed in 1957 in the face of opposition by the liberal party-led administration, and the 55 editors-in-chief play a critical role in news reports. The editors from 47 companies, excluding eight companies such as KBS, MBC, and Hankyore News, proclaimed, “In spite of difficulties and sacrifices, we will safeguard the people’s right to know by blocking the government’s suppression.” Their move is meaningful since they intend to protect this country’s constitution and democracy. They said that they fully realized that freedom of speech is acquired not by begging but by sacrifices, and that they will never accept any of the government’s measures.

The Roh administration, which often calls itself a ‘contributor to Korea’s democracy,’ has been doing everything it can to hide its wrongdoings and to make public its good deeds. This is a tragedy for the country as well as the administration. Even most politicians, regardless of their party lines, have urged the administration to get rid of its press control plan.

However, President Roh, who has been heading the control policy in a de facto manner, does not seem to realize his mistake. The Ministry of Finance and Economy declined a request by this newspaper’s reporter, saying, “We cannot confirm anything except for what has been already reported or what has been included in our press release.” It is a clear rejection of journalists’ requests that it will never open its mouth to say anything other than what the administration wants it to say. It is a challenge to the people’s right to know.

The editors in chief said that they would take extra steps if the administration does not take back to end the consolidation of its pressrooms. It is a sincere declaration to publicize this serious case, which is not a conflict between the government and the press, as some people see it, but an attempt to undermine Korea’s freedom of speech. Now is the time for President Roh to make a decision.