Pres. Lee Reaffirms Press-Friendly Policy

President Lee Myung-bak said on Friday, “Let’s pool our wisdom to help newspapers actively collaborate with broadcasting and telecom companies. The government will also provide necessary institutional or policy support.”

At the 52nd anniversary of Newspaper Day held at the Korea Press Center, President Lee Myung-bak said in his congratulatory address, “Due to diversification of the media and the emergence of alternative information sources, the prestige of newspapers as print media is being challenged. However, newspapers still play an important role as a place of communication in society.”

He also added that he will help the newspaper law and the press arbitration law be revised within this year.

“Simply put, the government honors the campaign pledge that it would allow newspapers to run broadcasting channels. And there is no ground to say that terrestrial channels will be exempt,” said a Cheong Wa Dae official. “On the revision or alternative legislation of the newspaper law, (the Lee administration) plans to fix problematic provisions with a legislative act rather than with a government-initiated bill.”

The president said, “The new administration has declared to pursue a press-friendly policy. This doesn’t mean that the government will allow authorities to develop unsavory ties with the media. If there is something that the media should know, it will inform them in an honest manner, while actively embracing suggestions and criticisms.” He further said, “The government plans to actively collaborate with the media, while respecting their role in social improvement.”

President Lee said, “Newspapers shared hardship and glory with Koreans in contemporary history. Some criticize newspapers by dredging up their past but I believe that Korean newspapers have made a great deal of contribution along with the people.”

“The people have the right to know what the government is doing. And the government has the duty to tell them about it,” added President Lee. “I urge the media to participate in bringing a new order and changes and removing evil practices accumulated in the past.”

swpark@donga.com