By Yoo Dong-ho
Staff Reporter


The ruling Uri Party on Friday unveiled final drafts for legislation to revamp what it claims is the South Korean media’s distorted market.

``The legislations will help create a sound media market which will reflect public opinion across the political spectrum,’’ Uri Party’s floor leader Chun Jung-bae said at a media conference. ``The reform will also enhance our society’s potential energy for growth and national competitiveness.’’

The bills focus on three major reforms: enacting a new newspaper law; preparing a bill to assist people harmed by inaccurate media reporting; and amending the current broadcasting law, party officials said.

The drafts will be pushed through the National Assembly next week, in which the governing party, comprising supporters of President Roh Moo-hyun, enjoys a slim majority of 152 seats in the 299-seat Assembly.

If enacted, the legislation would limit the total market share of the three major local dailies to 60 percent. Any local newspaper will be banned from holding more than 30 percent of the entire market.

In addition, advertisements should not exceed more than 50 percent of a daily newspaper, and any violators will be subject to a 20 million won ($17,000) fine.

Uri Party officials say the nation’s three mass-circulation conservative newspapers now control 70-80 percent of the market and are thus capable of swaying public opinion.

The main opposition Grand National Party, however, says a healthier market should be achieved through the efforts of media firms themselves rather than via a forcible reform driven by the government and political circles.

Due to the virtual monopoly of the conservative troika _ Chosun, Dong-A and JoongAng _ media scholars argue that the major papers are capable of dictating the flow and angle of the news, often reflecting simply the views of their owners.

The revision bill for the law on newspaper publication seeks to establish a joint newspaper delivery system.

The local distribution offices of each newspaper publisher commonly engage in fierce battles with rivals to lure subscribers, giving away free gifts and subscriptions.

Such incentives would be strictly prohibited once the revision bill is passed. The Uri Party also seeks to legislate a new law to specifically deal with any disputes that may arise between news outlets and their readers as well as news sources.

The strong control of the print media by conservative owners has led to a tense relationship with the liberal Roh administration, as the dailies harshly criticize the head of state’s philosophy and reform measures.

The country tried to enact a media reform bill in February 2002, but it failed due to the lukewarm reaction from opposition parties and the end of the Assembly session.

yoodh@koreatimes.co.kr