Undemocratic Government Measures Shouldn’t Be Pushed

The United New Democratic Party (UNDP) is criticizing the government’s “Press Support Advancement Initiative,” for controlling the media.

Oh Chung-il, head of the UNDP, said in a press conference yesterday, “The way the initiative was worked out was undemocratic and the timing of the announcement by the government was bad. The administration that was formed by democrats is handling the matter in an improper manner. If this issue is worrying so many people, the government shouldn’t try to push ahead with it.”

During a UNDP workshop held on August 31, some lawmakers said, “It was a measure turned down even by liberal media outlets; that means we should not support it when we are not a ruling party.”

Access to Reporting Must be Safeguarded –

The UNDP is trying to shed its image of the “same old Uri Party” by proactively addressing the issue. Led by its party whip Kim Hyo-seok, journalists-turned-lawmakers, including Jeong Dong-chae and Lee Nak-yeon, are working out a compromise bill. They are planning to have talks with the National Information Service based on the final draft they worked out, and plans will be unveiled today or tomorrow.

Lawmaker Jeong Dong-chae said, “The Prime Minister’s directive clause 11, which requires journalists to report to an information service office to write stories, and the clause 2 of article 12 which states that coverage of public officials must take place at a certain venue, effectively infringes upon journalistic activities. We will make sure that these unfair articles and clauses are removed.”

In regard to installing integrated briefing rooms, he said, “The budget has already been executed, so it is extremely hard to turn it over. However, creating places or venues where news stories are reported and transmitted in each public office, apart from briefing rooms, are under discussion.”

The compromise bill also includes the call for press rooms in prosecutorial and police headquarters to continue to adopt current measures due to necessary coordination with the press in announcing investigation results (prosecutors) and risks involving human rights violations (police). The party spokesperson Lee Nak-yeon said, “No reporter ‘dares’ to go into public offices or stays in the press room for a long time. This is indeed a serious issue.”

No Legally Binding Measures –

The UNDP chose “political negotiations” as an alternative option, but it is still lukewarm about finding solutions at the assembly because it still believes it is a ruling party.

The party whip said initially that it will not give a green light to the use of reserve funds in constructing the integrated briefing room, but he was being cautious yesterday, saying, “Regular sessions this year will not be easy as they will only evaluate the expenses made in 2006.”

Instead, under the premise of the government and Cheong Wa Dae not accepting the compromise bill, it will discuss matters with the Grand National Party to introduce a resolution calling for the government not to spend the 2007 reserve fund. The UNDP also decided to toe the line with the government by turning down bills involving the revision of information disclosure laws, the removal of the Government Information Agency (GIO), and the dismissal of GIO chief Kim Chang-ho.

cij1999@donga.com