[Hankyoreh, September 26 2008] [Column] Media workers must advocate for media freedoms

Hong Se-hwa, Current affairs reporter

A large banner reading “Defend The Producer’s Notebook” hung on a wall at the headquarters of the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation on the afternoon of September 24, which marked the 30th day of protests being led by two MBC producers, Kim Bo-seul and Lee Choon-geun. The two are protesting the prosecution’s investigation of them over an episode of their current affairs TV program “The Producer’s Notebook” titled “U.S. Beef, Is It Safe from Mad Cow Disease?”

Since the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries asked prosecutors to investigate the MBC producers on charges of alleged defamation in July, the prosecution has tried to summon Kim and Lee three times, but the producers refused to appear for questioning.