ID :
41417
Mon, 01/19/2009 - 10:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/41417
The shortlink copeid
President Lee defends controversial media reform
SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Monday his controversial media reform package allowing private businesses and newspapers to own stakes in broadcasting companies would create what he called "good quality" jobs and that the rest of the world is already moving in that direction.
The remarks come after recent criticism that a new government project to create
jobs and boost the country's ailing economy will only lead to the creation of
temporary or irregular job openings.
"Media is the largest industry, and it can be a source of economic growth. It
(the reform) must proceed well so that a number of good quality jobs can be
created," the president said during talks with the leadership of his ruling Grand
National Party (GNP).
The world's media and mobile contents market was estimated to be worth over
US$388 billion in 2006, far more than some $234 billion for the semiconductors
market and $264 billion for the electronic appliances market that year, according
to the Korea Communications Commission.
Lee's remarks also follow a three-week standoff between the ruling and opposition
parties at the National Assembly over media reform bills and a number of other
legislation derided by critics as "evil laws."
The GNP and the main opposition Democratic Party ended their struggle earlier
this month, agreeing to legislate most of the government bills before the end of
February. However, the media-related bills have been singled out as ones that
need to be discussed indefinitely until the rival parties reach a consensus.
Critics claim ownership of the country's major broadcasting companies by private
businesses and newspapers will seriously undermine the objectivity of this most
powerful and influential type of news outlet.
The government argues the measures are the only way to ensure profitability, and
even survival in some cases, of broadcasters that already depend heavily on state
funding.
It also claims the reform will help create up to 290,000 professional, quality
jobs by 2012.
Seoul earlier this month announced a set of projects under the so-called "Green
New Deal" that it says will lead to the creation of over 960,000 jobs.
Its critics charge the government is only playing with numbers and that over 90
percent of the jobs to be created will be for either short-term construction or
temporarily hired workers.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
The remarks come after recent criticism that a new government project to create
jobs and boost the country's ailing economy will only lead to the creation of
temporary or irregular job openings.
"Media is the largest industry, and it can be a source of economic growth. It
(the reform) must proceed well so that a number of good quality jobs can be
created," the president said during talks with the leadership of his ruling Grand
National Party (GNP).
The world's media and mobile contents market was estimated to be worth over
US$388 billion in 2006, far more than some $234 billion for the semiconductors
market and $264 billion for the electronic appliances market that year, according
to the Korea Communications Commission.
Lee's remarks also follow a three-week standoff between the ruling and opposition
parties at the National Assembly over media reform bills and a number of other
legislation derided by critics as "evil laws."
The GNP and the main opposition Democratic Party ended their struggle earlier
this month, agreeing to legislate most of the government bills before the end of
February. However, the media-related bills have been singled out as ones that
need to be discussed indefinitely until the rival parties reach a consensus.
Critics claim ownership of the country's major broadcasting companies by private
businesses and newspapers will seriously undermine the objectivity of this most
powerful and influential type of news outlet.
The government argues the measures are the only way to ensure profitability, and
even survival in some cases, of broadcasters that already depend heavily on state
funding.
It also claims the reform will help create up to 290,000 professional, quality
jobs by 2012.
Seoul earlier this month announced a set of projects under the so-called "Green
New Deal" that it says will lead to the creation of over 960,000 jobs.
Its critics charge the government is only playing with numbers and that over 90
percent of the jobs to be created will be for either short-term construction or
temporarily hired workers.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
