언론현업단체들, 방미통위에 YTN 매각 승인 취소 촉구…“결자해지 하라”

Last year's court ruling recognized the procedural illegality of YTN's privatization, yet the Broadcasting Media Communication Commission (BMC) delayed administrative measures to rectify the situation. Nine media industry unions, including the National Union of Journalists, held a press conference on April 24 at Gwanghwamun Square, declaring the "maximum shareholder status of YTN being stripped away due to illegal administrative decisions is a pressing issue" and stating that "even though harm continues to result from the unlawful administrative decision, the administrative body (BMC) is hiding behind its responsibilities."

In November of the previous year, Seoul Administrative Court ruled that the administrative decision changing YTN's majority shareholder to Yunjin (a Yunjin Group subsidiary) was unlawful and must be overturned. Yunjin Group is currently appealing the ruling, and the second level of appeal is ongoing. Meanwhile, the BMC has not decided on the cancellation decision regarding the removal of YTN's maximum shareholder status.

They held two meetings last month but failed to reach an agreement due to the lack of a quorum after the opposition party's recommended two members withdrew. At the latest meeting, Youth Media Union's YTN branch chief said, "It's a pretext for the BMC now, which has the responsibility and authority to rectify the irregularities, to say things like 'additional investigation is needed' or 'litigation is feared.'"

The union emphasized, "If YTN is not normalized, it will be a dangerous precedent where only broadcasting can be controlled and it will be impossible to reverse." The 'Media Monopoly Stop Campaign' comprised of 90 media and civil organizations also released a statement on April 19, arguing, "If the administrative agency refrains from exercising its authority due to legal disputes, what purpose does an independent administrative institution serve?

The BMC should be afraid of not protecting public broadcasting's public interest and violating citizens' right to know" rather than being worried about lawsuits involving private capital or individual safety of committee members.