Ministry of Culture and Tourism: “No News Reports in Outsourcing Channel”

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism said yesterday that news programs would not be included in its so-called “outsourcing channel” that is being pushed ahead with the aim of test broadcasting early next year to facilitate independent productions.

“As 100 percent of programs of the special outsourcing channel are made by outsourcing to independent productions, there will be no news programs,” the Ministry said. Most of the programs must, out of necessity, be non-political because culture-related programs are a principal part of the channel, it noted.

The Ministry moved forward a plan to set up a ground wave channel, including news reporting functions, on the basis of “Propriety Research on the Establishment of Culture Channel for Outsourcing,” written by the Korean Broadcasting Institute. It is suspected of trying to create pro-government public opinion, contrary to the original purpose of its establishment.

This report suggested that it include news reporting programs to offer diverse views.

Jin-Yeong Lee ecolee@donga.com