War on obscenity, violence in TV declared

The government has vowed to fight sexually suggestive and violent content in broadcasting. However, backlashes are likely, as broadcasting company employees and scholars are questioning the background behind the government`s sudden declaration and its effectiveness.

At a luncheon meeting with a group of chairmen from the cultural departments of local media outlets on August 2, Culture and Tourism Minister Park Jie-Won asserted that obscenity, violence, crime and aggravation of regional tension in broadcasting have exceeded tolerable levels. Minister Park further stated that he would utilize any means possible, including current broadcasting regulations, to banish suggestiveness and violence in broadcasting, even if it costs him his post. He warned that if necessary, he would use means other than the current broadcasting regulations, such as recommending the removal of personnel responsible for offensive broadcasting or pressuring broadcasting companies through advertisers.

For romance and recreational broadcasting programs and dramas that target youth, minister Park said that he will respond with "revolutionary tactics" if they are suggestive or aggravate regional tension in any way. For cable TV and Internet broadcasting, minister Park vowed to work out legal restrictions, indicating his stern will to combat questionable broadcasting content.

Minister Park`s statements have sparked a backlash from broadcasting and media circles worried about the independence of the medium, since a new broadcasting law that came into effect March 13 delegates authority over administrative restrictions on broadcasting to the broadcasting committee.

The broadcasting committee summoned an emergency meeting with the chairman-level association of broadcasting and presidents of the three major TV broadcasters, KBS, MBC and SBS, on July 2, and discussed methods to reinforce public welfare. The committee and the chairman-level association of broadcasting resolved to restrict excessive competition for TV ratings during prime time (7-10 p.m.) and to reinforce restrictions on suggestiveness and violence in TV programs. They also pledged to develop quality shows for family hours (7-10 p.m.).