Sunday, August 19, 2007

[Korea.net News, Opinion, June 19 2007] Roh's policy pushes media into the present

...

Right now, the prevailing opinion is that the move is a vindictive attack on press freedom, akin to those made on the other side of the world by Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, who has closed a TV station that criticized him.

But there are two more viewpoints to consider. One is the government's and the other is “the people's.” How will they benefit or lose from the new policy?

My view is that all sides can win. President Roh is making a historic move here, cutting the umbilical cord with the media, just as he cut the judiciary and ruling party from the executive Blue House when he came into office.

...

This perception comes from a natural anger that the level of access to government is going to change. Now reporters will have to meet with official spokespersons only and formally apply for interviews with other officials, rather than just drop into their offices, but it does not mean their freedom is being curtailed. What is really infringed upon is the reporter's right to roam rather than the public's right to know.

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