[The Hankyoreh, July 19 2008] KBS president should be in line with the govt’s views, Blue House aide says

Many media experts feel, however, that as a public broadcaster, KBS should be independent from gov’t control

Bahk Jae-wan, the senior presidential aide for national policy planning, said, “Although the neutrality of broadcasting needs to be taken into account, as the head of a government-affiliated organization, (the KBS president) should have the will to actively realize the new administration’s policy agenda,” which could be interpreted to mean that “the editorial tone of public broadcasters should be in line with the government.” The remark comes in the midst of increased attempts by the administration of Lee Myung-bak to take control of the broadcast media and is expected to stir up a controversy about the neutrality of broadcasters.