Conflicts Arise over Replacement of KBS MCs

It was reported that the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) is planning to change many of the MCs of its current affairs radio programs in its fall reorganization because it considers the MCs to be anti-reformation. Accordingly, controversy over “ideology broadcasts,” which was caused by praise of Song Doo-yul, a sociologist in Germany, and broadcasts related to the presidential impeachment, will be raised again.

According to a KBS report that has been turned to the National Assembly’s Culture and Tourism Committee member Koh Heung-gil (GNP lawmaker), KBS President Jung Yeon-joo asked, “Explain why there are comments that current affairs radio programs are against reformation,” to Radio Director Cho Won-seok at a Viewers Committee meeting held on August 19.

Viewers Committee Chairman Lim Hun-young added “I listen to KBS 1 radio all the time while driving but I hear too many counter-reformation comments. I wonder what is going on.”

In reply, Radio Director Cho said, “Sometimes it just happens to be that the people with conservative views win in their debates against people with reformative views. I figured it’s the MCs’ inexperience which caused the problem. All the MCs are planned to be replaced in fall, and the selecting of panels will be more carefully done.”

Director Cho explained, “When conservative panels are winning the debate, the total impression might feel conservative. However, none of that was intended.”

The KBS Viewers Committee comprises 10 to 15 people and can make suggestions and demand readjustments to programs.

Rep. Koh said, “It’s not our idea to make conservative people always lose in debates. The president of KBS should apologize for the deliberation of one-sided broadcasts, and the Viewers Committee Chairman should resign immediately.”

Seung-Heon Lee ddr@donga.com