ID :
84317
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 08:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/84317
The shortlink copeid
Controversy rising over dismissal of liberal TV host
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Yonhap) -- The public broadcaster's decision to kick a liberal TV host off a popular show has ignited debate among politicians and the public over whether the decision was a political one.
KBS last week announced an abrupt decision to exclude entertainer Kim Je-dong
from the co-hosts of its prime-time show "Star Golden Bell," breaking with its
usual practice of giving dismissal notice at least three to four weeks in
advance.
"KBS's sudden decision to expel Kim reveals the government's fear over the
well-received entertainer, who hosted the funeral ceremony of former President
Roh Moo-hyun and gave support to unionists at Ssangyong Motor," Rep. Jun
Byung-hun of the major opposition Democratic Party (DP) said during the
parliamentary inspection into the state-run broadcaster.
But Rep. Na Kyung-won of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) countered the
claim, saying, "Kim has taken part in many events organized by the government and
the ruling party, so any (political) accusations don't make sense."
"KBS is only trying to reorganize programs by its standard. The opposition party
is raising questions about it with the purpose of taming the broadcaster," Na
said.
This was not the first time a celebrity has been dismissed over politics. Rock
singer Yoon Do-hyun, who has the same agent as Kim and who has frequently
participated in anti-government rallies, was suspended from his long-running KBS
show "Love Letter" last November for alleged poor ratings.
"We feel the same way when Yoon Do-hyun was abruptly dismissed ... It's
embarrassing," his agent Daeum said, one day after the notification from KBS.
In response to the growing criticism, KBS explained Kim was eliminated as part of
the seasonal reshuffle plan, as he had been in charge of the program for four
years, since November 2005.
"During the regular reorganization of programs in spring and fall, we replace or
start programs and change show hosts, which is necessary for a new atmosphere,"
KBS's PR team said in a release, adding the notification was belated due to the
recent shift of the program producers.
Kim's taping on Tuesday will be aired as the last edition, the broadcaster said.
More than 8,000 netizens have signed a petition on the Internet portal site Daum
calling for him to not be ousted.
"It is not fair to expel him ... without providing any particular reason," a
petitioner identified as 'lhy' said. "I think Kim's expulsion was sort of
punishment for entertainers who give remarks on social issues."
Some argued the KBS's firing of Kim had nothing to do with political reasons.
"I am fed up with his style of humor that has been unchanged over the last years.
If ratings are falling, the replacement cannot be considered wrong," a netizen
identified as 'Seok' said.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Yonhap) -- The public broadcaster's decision to kick a liberal TV host off a popular show has ignited debate among politicians and the public over whether the decision was a political one.
KBS last week announced an abrupt decision to exclude entertainer Kim Je-dong
from the co-hosts of its prime-time show "Star Golden Bell," breaking with its
usual practice of giving dismissal notice at least three to four weeks in
advance.
"KBS's sudden decision to expel Kim reveals the government's fear over the
well-received entertainer, who hosted the funeral ceremony of former President
Roh Moo-hyun and gave support to unionists at Ssangyong Motor," Rep. Jun
Byung-hun of the major opposition Democratic Party (DP) said during the
parliamentary inspection into the state-run broadcaster.
But Rep. Na Kyung-won of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) countered the
claim, saying, "Kim has taken part in many events organized by the government and
the ruling party, so any (political) accusations don't make sense."
"KBS is only trying to reorganize programs by its standard. The opposition party
is raising questions about it with the purpose of taming the broadcaster," Na
said.
This was not the first time a celebrity has been dismissed over politics. Rock
singer Yoon Do-hyun, who has the same agent as Kim and who has frequently
participated in anti-government rallies, was suspended from his long-running KBS
show "Love Letter" last November for alleged poor ratings.
"We feel the same way when Yoon Do-hyun was abruptly dismissed ... It's
embarrassing," his agent Daeum said, one day after the notification from KBS.
In response to the growing criticism, KBS explained Kim was eliminated as part of
the seasonal reshuffle plan, as he had been in charge of the program for four
years, since November 2005.
"During the regular reorganization of programs in spring and fall, we replace or
start programs and change show hosts, which is necessary for a new atmosphere,"
KBS's PR team said in a release, adding the notification was belated due to the
recent shift of the program producers.
Kim's taping on Tuesday will be aired as the last edition, the broadcaster said.
More than 8,000 netizens have signed a petition on the Internet portal site Daum
calling for him to not be ousted.
"It is not fair to expel him ... without providing any particular reason," a
petitioner identified as 'lhy' said. "I think Kim's expulsion was sort of
punishment for entertainers who give remarks on social issues."
Some argued the KBS's firing of Kim had nothing to do with political reasons.
"I am fed up with his style of humor that has been unchanged over the last years.
If ratings are falling, the replacement cannot be considered wrong," a netizen
identified as 'Seok' said.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
