“Stop Using Taxpayers’ Money to Media Reform Measures”

The United New Democratic Party (UNDP) has announced the possibility of putting a brake on the government decision to consolidate and close down briefing rooms in the name of reporting improvement. The announcement, made on August 28, is noteworthy as it follows opposition from the Grand National Party (GNP) and the Democratic Party. The opposition of the ruling party made it clear that a majority of political parties are opposed to the government’s plan to put the government’s response in the media limelight.

Kim Hyo-seok, the floor leader of UNDP, said on the same day, “When the government pushes a reform plan unilaterally, we could consider preventing the administration from using budget money earmarked for contingencies, even though we cannot do anything about the budget the Government Information Agency (GIA) has already spent.”

The floor leader told in a press conference held in advance of the party meeting in the National Assembly, “The government should not push forward the decision unilaterally. It should consult with the media, including the Journalists Association of Korea.”

He stressed that, “The decision makes reporters meet informants face-to-face in a designated place with the approval of public relations departments and makes them report the interview to authorities. The decision has room for improvement.”

His remarks translate into the intention to exert legal and political pressure, such as the Assembly’s refusal to consider the 2008 budget proposal of GIA, when this administration put the plan into practice. The plan has been under strong opposition from the media.

mindy@donga.com kimhs@donga.com