[Editorial] Problematic GNP Newspaper Law Proposal

Both the ruling and opposition parties voted to approve the revisions to the newspaper law and the press arbitration law, but a day before they are to take effect the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) submits its own, new revisions, which for the most part reflect the claims continuously made by conservative newspapers. Examples of that would be the regulations relating to market dominating businesses, the removal of the establishment of the "newspaper distribution service," and allowing newspapers to engage in broadcasting.

The newspaper law was enacted as the result of long hard work by media watch groups seeking to normalize a newspaper market that had been corrupted by the high-handedness of certain conservative newspapers that had been throwing their capital around. Still, much of the initial proposal was watered down as the ruling and opposition parties sought to find agreement. The best example would be the regulations regarding businesses dominating the market. In its current state the law defines "market dominating" as one media company having more than 30 percent of the market share or when three companies have more than 60 percent of the market. But since dailies that have no news coverage and commentary are included in what gets counted as part of the market, you are left doubting whether any company could ever be to be found to be dominating. The GNP now wants to relax "market dominating" market share to 50 percent and 75 percent respectively. It says that it is "relaxing" the regulations, but in essence it is making the regulations as good as nonexistent.

Getting rid of the "newspaper distribution service" would be going against bringing normality to the market and guaranteeing diversity in the media. The hope is that the distribution service will make the country's pre-modern distribution network a rational one and by doing so give readers a wider choice of newspapers to read. The economic effect of resolving the overlapping and excessive investment in delivery networks will be significant, and the distribution service is meant to be a public interest organization that is open to all newspapers. There would be no legitimacy in allowing newspapers to engage in broadcasting unless the goal is to satisfy the ambitions of the owners of conservative media to engage in broadcasting because newspapers are not enough. If is not too late for the GNP to think again about what it is that needs to be done for the sake of true media normalization.

The Hankyoreh, 28 July 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]