[The Hankyoreh, February 28 2008] [Editorial] Broadcast control

As a controversial bill to create a body governing both broadcasting and telecommunications passed the National Assembly the day before yesterday, the nation will soon see the launch of the Broadcasting-Telecommunications Commission. In this day and age, when the broadcast and telecommunications industries are quickly converging, it makes sense to set up a body that can formulate new policies. However, it is also worrisome that the new body will be under the control of the president. The status of the commission, and the method by which the body will be constructed, could threaten this ideal. Under these circumstances, President Lee Myung-bak’s new administration reportedly considering naming Choi Si-jung, one of his senior political advisers and former president of Gallup Korea, to head the commission. Many analysts point out that the appointment of Choi might indicate Lee’s intention to take control of broadcasting.