Local TV station appeals ruling by state communication commission

SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- A local TV broadcaster said Thursday it will appeal a
ruling by the state communication commission reprimanding it for its handling of
a media reform bill pursued by the government and ruling party.

MBC said Wednesday's ruling by the nine-member Korea Communication Standards
Commission (KCSC) does not properly reflect the duty of broadcasters to serve the
peoples' right to know by providing fair and impartial reporting.
The commission set up to ensure proper reflection of public values and fairness
in TV broadcasts issued a warning to MBC's 9 p.m. news for unfair reporting and
meted out lesser reprimands to two other programs, requiring them to formally
issue an apology.
The commission said a warning is a severe form of reprimand.
The broadcasters' union claimed in a separate statement that the KCSC is
effectively under the influence of the government and ruling Grand National
Party, which are pushing forward a controversial media reform bill, and that the
latest ruling shows clear intent to gag the press.
Parliament is expected to vote on the bill in June. If passed, it would allow
private businesses and big pro-government newspapers to jointly own broadcasting
companies.
The government and GNP said allowing private businesses and newspapers to own TV
broadcasters would enhance overall competitiveness of the industry, which can
lead to job growth. The opposition and unionists in many media companies oppose
the move as a plot to control TV stations.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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