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| Main opposition People Power Party floor leader Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon makes a speech in front of the National Assembly, Wednesday, during a protest against the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's unilateral move to pass a controversial bill aimed at curbing what it calls "fake news." Yonhap |
Controversial bill to be put to vote Aug. 30
By Jun Ji-hye
The ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) unilateral move to pass a controversial bill aimed at imposing punitive damages on what it calls "fake news" is facing criticism even from its own members, with concerns being raised that the bill could hamper the media's role in holding political or economic power in check.
The DPK, which holds a majority of National Assembly seats, endorsed the bill to revise the Act on Press Arbitration at the Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Wednesday, despite heated protests from opposition parties and journalists' associations.
The party is planning to pass it at a plenary session scheduled for Aug. 30.
Rep. Cho Eung-cheon of the ruling party said the revised regulation could lead to weakening the media's role in scrutinizing the powerful, and this will result in violating the people's right to know and disturbing the development of democracy.
"The ruling party was criticized for its arrogance and self-righteousness as seen in the results of the April 7 by-elections. If the party continues to push ahead with the passage of the bill, this criticism will be invited again. And this will damage the value of democracy we have protected so far," Cho wrote on Facebook.
Cho noted that reforming the media is necessary, but the procedures and direction are more important than the speed.
"More discussion and review are needed, so that our original goal can be achieved through the revision of the law," he said.
Rep. Park Yong-jin, one of the presidential contenders of the ruling party, also raised concerns over the party's move, saying that the revised law will reduce the courage of reporters and media companies in criticizing political or economic power.
"The idea to revise the law had good intensions originally. The leadership of the party should have given more efforts to persuade opposition parties as well as people to resolve growing concerns," Park said during his radio appearance, Thursday.
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| National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug, center, holds discussions about scheduling a plenary session with floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties at his office, Wednesday. They decided to delay the session supposed to be held on the day to Aug. 30. Yonhap |
The bill, aimed at sharply increasing punishment for so-called fake news, was spearheaded by the DPK as part of its efforts to "reform" the media.
Controversy has been heating up as it excluded YouTubers from those subject to the revised law, although some YouTube channels have been accused of being a hotbed of disinformation and slander.
According to a report issued by the Korea Press Foundation in December, 70.6 percent of people surveyed said they have experienced fake news through YouTube.
Critics said exclusion of YouTubers will tarnish the "good intensions" of the revised law.
Rep. Lee Nak-yon, a presidential contender and the former DPK chairman, also said during a radio appearance, Aug. 20, "I think the bill should include YouTubers too."
But the party's leadership expressed its intent to continue pushing ahead with the passage of the bill.
"There is little possibility that the law could be abused to weaken the media's role," DPK Chairman Rep. Song Young-gil said during a DPK Supreme Council meeting on Wednesday.
Regarding the exclusion of YouTubers, Song said YouTube is not a media organization under a legal categorization, thus it is a separate issue from revising the Act on Press Arbitration.
"A bill to revise the Telecommunications Business Act to regulate fake news spread through YouTube has been submitted to a relevant Assembly committee. Opposition parties' cooperation will be necessary to pass that bill," Song said.
