Sunday, August 19, 2007

[Korea.net News, Opinion, June 7 2007] 'Press room regulations deserve balanced criticism'

The Measures for Developing an Advanced Media Support System, which were announced by the Government Information Agency on May 22, have been subject to an intense, unkind second-guessing by many people in the press and other quarters of Korean society. The critics argue that the measures are intended to merge and close down reporters' rooms, curbing the newsgathering activities of reporters and limiting the people's right to know. However, much of the criticism is misleading and camouflages the truth.

...

Attacks on the new Media Support System are not warranted for the following three reasons:

First, the new Combined or Consolidated Press Briefing Centers will be comprised of multiple numbers of briefing rooms and reporters' rooms with an aim of becoming a one-stop service for the media seeking information on the government. ...

Second, the government's electronic briefing service is another important feature of the new system. When introduced, it will complement on-site briefings and provide thorough information on the daily operation of the government. ...

Third, some people allege that the new policy bans reporters from contacting government officials, but this is far from true. The government's new policy simply calls for reporters to make prior arrangements before meeting with civil servants for newsgathering purposes, which is a universally accepted norm in the Western world. Following relatively simple steps, they will be free to contact and interview any official. ...

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