[The Chosun Ilbo, August 27 2007] Most Koreans Oppose Press Controls: Poll

A majority of Koreans oppose the government’s new press controls, including the merger of newsrooms at government agencies into a handful of briefing rooms and other measures limiting media access to government officials. In a phone survey conducted by Gallup Korea at the request of the Chosun Ilbo, 70 percent of respondents said the controls are bad because they infringe on people’s right to know and limit media activities. The number of opponents was three times higher than that of supporters, who said the measures would improve reporting practices and provide quality information on government policies.