방송법 1년, 사추위·편성위 모두 헛바퀴 돈 까닭은

After one year since the revised broadcasting law came into effect, the Broadcasting and Multimedia Communications Commission (Broadcasting Commission) questioned the largest shareholder of the largest media conglomerate, Chosun News (KBS), for failing to form a news selection committee (news selection committee). Meanwhile, YTN also faced a conflict with a major shareholder, Yun Jin-eun, over expanding the voting rights.

Both companies ultimately received a penalty of reducing the broadcasting approval period to three months due to broadcasting law violations. The broadcasting law, designed to ensure independence from political and capital powers, was passed last month. However, its implementation has been lacking. Problems have surfaced where entities intentionally violate the law or exploit loopholes.

A key issue is the lack of effective enforcement mechanisms. One prominent example is the outsourcing of the news selection committee by news corporations. Despite the broadcasting law mandating a 'management agreement' among the news corporation and labor union, the law requires two-thirds approval from the shareholders to implement it.

The largest shareholders of KBS and YTN believe the revised broadcasting law infringes on their autonomy. The news selection committee, which the law requires, has been delayed. Korea Broadcasting System (KBS), led by Park Chang-beom, did not hold a news selection committee for two months from June last year. After facing criticism from the board of directors, KBS recently proposed a plan to reduce the broadcasting production authority in its favor during the last board meeting.

KBS's decision to start its term without consulting the law highlights the importance of ensuring broadcasters fulfill their social and public functions.