DP approves revisions to press arbitration act

Aug 20, 2021, 08:23 am

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Lawmakers of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) protest against the enforcement of the revision to the Press Arbitration Act in the hallway in front of the plenary hall of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on Aug. 19, 2021./ Photographed by Song Eui-joo

AsiaToday reporter Jeong Geum-min

The ruling Democratic Party (DP) enforced a revision to the Act on Press Arbitration Thursday despite strong opposition from opposition parties. The amendment stipulates that those purportedly damaged by fake news intentionally made by reporters or media outlets can claim up to five-fold increase in penalties.

The National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee held a plenary session and approved the legislative proposal to revise the Act on Press Arbitration and Remedies, Etc. for Damage Caused by Press Reports with the consent of 9 out of 16 members.

Eight ruling DP representatives along with Open Minjoo Party Rep. Kim Eui-kyeom, who pushed for the revision, voted in favor, while the committee’s PPP members expressed their opposition while picketing around committee chair.

The PPP lawmakers protested the meeting holding placards to condemn the revision bill to express strong opposition, however failed to stop the supermajority ruling DP from railroading the process for revising the law.

The DP revised the bill to exclude the right to claim punitive damages from high-ranking government officials, elected public officials and executives of major companies, in consideration of opposition from opposition parties and media groups. However, critics point out that family members and related officials other than the person concerned may indirectly abuse the system and it may also encourage self-censorship of media outlets.

During the party’s standing committee meeting at the National Assembly, Bae Jin-kyo of the minor Justice Party pointed out that the revision is aimed at using the media as an “effective publicity medium for the government,” and that the government is trying to “censor the articles without providing an environment where media outlets can report independently and fairly.”

“Instead of mediating the media, it seems like we should mediate the ruling party that is running rampant for legislation,” Bae said. “We urge the formation of a special committee in the National Assembly so that social consensus on media reform can be made.”

The International Press Institute (IPI) published a statement entitled, “South Korea should withdraw new fake news legislation,” on its website on Tuesday, and said, “The IPI global network expressed serious concern over a bill in South Korea that would raise punishments for media outlets sued for publishing fake news.”

“At a time when authoritarian governments are increasingly adopting so-called ‘fake news’ laws to stifle criticism, it is disappointing to see a democratic country like South Korea follow this negative trend,” it added.

The DP plans to finally pass the bill at an Aug. 25 Assembly plenary session.

#DP #press arbitration act