Yoon slammed for allegedly attempting to tame press
The presidential office is taking flak for having banned MBC journalists from accompanying President Yoon Suk-yeol on his visit to Southeast Asia. The office noted it made the decision since the public broadcaster repeatedly delivered "distorted and biased" coverage on foreign affairs-related issues.
It is unprecedented for the presidential office to single out a certain media outlet to prevent its reporters from boarding the presidential jet. It has been a tradition to allow all journalists registered with the presidential office to board the presidential plane. Barring some reporters from flying with the president can be regarded as an abuse of authority by the presidential office, as the relevant media outlets pay all their expenses for airfare and accommodations.
The presidential office has been condemning MBC since it first released a video in which Yoon can be heard using profanity while referring to U.S. President Joe Biden and the U.S. Congress in New York, subtitling his remark. Yoon has failed to clarify the truth behind the case and refused to express regret for his actions. The presidential office and the ruling People Power Party lambasted the broadcaster, claiming it has undermined the alliance between South Korea and the United States.
Yoon called the recent decision against MBC "a matter of grave national interest," during a brief meeting with journalists covering the presidential office, Thursday. Yet, Yoon's remark lacks persuasiveness. It is not proper to predetermine that a certain media firm will hurt the national interest. It can be taken as an attempt to deter reporting possibly critical of his diplomatic activities.
In reaction, major journalist organizations held a press conference Thursday in front of the presidential office in Yongsan, describing the decision as a serious violation of the freedom of press. The organizations included the Journalists Association of Korea, the National Union of Media Workers and the Korea Broadcast Journalist Association.
The presidential office can express discontent with the media's reporting and ask for more responsible coverage. Yet that is different from preventing a certain outlet from boarding the presidential jet. The office can allege biases and distortions in reporting by calling for mediation or filing suits with the courts. The presidential office cannot avoid criticism for barring a certain firm boarding the presidential jet, which is a public venue for coverage. This is an apparent infringement on the people's right to information.
For instance, the president is supposed to hold a press meeting in the presidential jet, which is operated by taxpayers' money. The presidential office should not act as if it is providing a special favor to the press by allowing them aboard. Worrisome is the presidential office's possible attempt to bring the press under its influence by taking such a step. The office should withdraw the seemingly inappropriate decision immediately and offer all possible assistance to the journalistic activities of all mass media including MBC.
The presidential office is taking flak for having banned MBC journalists from accompanying President Yoon Suk-yeol on his visit to Southeast Asia. The office noted it made the decision since the public broadcaster repeatedly delivered "distorted and biased" coverage on foreign affairs-related issues.
It is unprecedented for the presidential office to single out a certain media outlet to prevent its reporters from boarding the presidential jet. It has been a tradition to allow all journalists registered with the presidential office to board the presidential plane. Barring some reporters from flying with the president can be regarded as an abuse of authority by the presidential office, as the relevant media outlets pay all their expenses for airfare and accommodations.
The presidential office has been condemning MBC since it first released a video in which Yoon can be heard using profanity while referring to U.S. President Joe Biden and the U.S. Congress in New York, subtitling his remark. Yoon has failed to clarify the truth behind the case and refused to express regret for his actions. The presidential office and the ruling People Power Party lambasted the broadcaster, claiming it has undermined the alliance between South Korea and the United States.
Yoon called the recent decision against MBC "a matter of grave national interest," during a brief meeting with journalists covering the presidential office, Thursday. Yet, Yoon's remark lacks persuasiveness. It is not proper to predetermine that a certain media firm will hurt the national interest. It can be taken as an attempt to deter reporting possibly critical of his diplomatic activities.
In reaction, major journalist organizations held a press conference Thursday in front of the presidential office in Yongsan, describing the decision as a serious violation of the freedom of press. The organizations included the Journalists Association of Korea, the National Union of Media Workers and the Korea Broadcast Journalist Association.
The presidential office can express discontent with the media's reporting and ask for more responsible coverage. Yet that is different from preventing a certain outlet from boarding the presidential jet. The office can allege biases and distortions in reporting by calling for mediation or filing suits with the courts. The presidential office cannot avoid criticism for barring a certain firm boarding the presidential jet, which is a public venue for coverage. This is an apparent infringement on the people's right to information.
For instance, the president is supposed to hold a press meeting in the presidential jet, which is operated by taxpayers' money. The presidential office should not act as if it is providing a special favor to the press by allowing them aboard. Worrisome is the presidential office's possible attempt to bring the press under its influence by taking such a step. The office should withdraw the seemingly inappropriate decision immediately and offer all possible assistance to the journalistic activities of all mass media including MBC.
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