KBS 박장범 경영진, 2003년 도입한 ‘방송 자율성 조항’ 통째로 지웠다

The Korea Broadcasting Corporation (KBS) management recently removed the entire "Broadcast Autonomy Clause" from their new broadcast guideline, according to a report. This move is criticized for contradicting the intention of amending the Broadcasting Act to guarantee broadcasting freedom and independence. KBS's executive committee members and employee representatives exchanged drafts for the new broadcast guideline on the 26th, leading up to a fourth committee meeting.

The amendment was proposed because the existing KBS broadcast guideline was unable to comply with the current broadcasting law due to no reforms since 2019. However, during the discussion, KBS removed the clause on "production responsibility, duties and obligations" (Article 6 and 7) which had been included in 2003. This clause guaranteed broadcasters' autonomy, participation in decision-making on programming and production, and the right to request explanations for unscheduled program modifications or cancellations.

KBS employee representatives claimed they had introduced these rights when the broadcast guideline was amended in 2019. The KBS representatives suggested that there could be a way to modify it. KBS representatives stated to the Hankyoreh that each side exchanged drafts, and they would aim for a successful completion of the broadcast guideline through continued consultation and debate.

However, the employee representatives strongly opposed this proposal, calling it a retreat of member rights. Five KBS employee representatives released a statement on the 25th, criticizing the new draft for taking the broadcast guideline back to a level from 20 years ago, stating it was a "retrograde step." They also emphasized that the removed clause was a result of their members' decades-long struggle to protect production autonomy.

The incident behind the KBS executive committee dispute involves KBS chairman Park Jong-beom's interest. Park Jong-beom expressed concern that a new chairman would be appointed after the end of his term in a constitutional petition he filed last September. Additionally, the chairman's election procedure was delayed by two weeks, with the committee postponing its meeting last April until it reluctantly met on the 14th.

Moreover, it is the first time that KBS has proposed a reduction in employee rights, as the committee meeting was delayed for reasons beyond simple procedural delays.