AsiaMedia :: KOREA: More autonomy for print media planned

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: More autonomy for print media planned: "New president Lee Myung-bak promises a 'press-friendly policy,' allowing cross-media ownership, in revision of current print media laws
The Korea Times
Friday, April 4, 2008
By Kang Hyun-kyung

President Lee Myung-bak pledged to support the revision of related laws governing the management and operation of print media, Friday.

In a speech to mark the 52nd Newspaper Day, Lee said he would help print media and broadcasting firms effectively cope with the ever-changing media environment by implementing a 'press-friendly policy.'

His remarks were construed as the government's plan to seek alternative legislation to replace the current Newspaper Law in an effort to give press companies more autonomy than before.
The now-defunct presidential transition team promised in January that the Lee government would allow print media to own broadcasters and vice versa.

Under the current law, print media are prohibited from having shares of broadcasters, and newspapers and broadcasting companies are not allowed to encroach upon each other's turf."