Public confidence in broadcasting is in a free fall, as is the state of ethics in broadcasting. It was just recently when live performers exposed themselves on television, and now there are scandals coming to the surface as is in competition to do so. Employees of Munhwa Broadcasting (MBC) have been taking bribes in connection with job placement, and now documentation has been made public that describes how Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) officials took bribes from production contractors. There is nothing the industry can say in its defense if criticized with questions about whether it is qualified to keep watch on irregularities in our society.
You cannot overemphasize the importance of ethics awareness among members of the press. The news media carries just as much power and influence as political authority recognized through elections, but as soon as it loses society's trust there is existence becomes less meaningful. Furthermore regaining lost trust is far harder than establishing it for the first time. Even more a problem is that the loss of confidence extends to the whole of the news media. When the media does not attend to its mission to keep watch on the behavior of government authority and pursue social issues, society starts to become diseased. When it fails to perform its role it is the citizens who are the true victims. Broadcasting has a greater social responsibility because it uses limited resources (air waves), unlike newspapers and other media. That is why every time they get the chance people in the industry stress the importance of public broadcasting; they understand its importance better than anyone else.
Many people in broadcasting surely feel wronged and frustrated that the problems of a few look like a problem with the whole industry. Thorough self-reflection and voluntary reform is the shortcut to maintaining independence in broadcasting over the long-term and restoring public confidence. Broadcasting officials need to remember how that would be beneficial both to everyone in the industry and to viewers.
The Hankyoreh, 23 August 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Distrust of Broadcasting Media |
