Cross-Media Ownership Remains Stumbling Block
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By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
The ruling and opposition parties still face difficulty in narrowing the gap over cross-media ownership restrictions despite the establishment of an inter-party body to discuss the contentious media bills Friday.
The governing Grand National Party (GNP) had told the opposition it could withdraw a bill which, if passed, would allow conglomerates and newspapers to own up to a 20 percent share in networks.
However, the ruling party suddenly changed its stance and said it will negotiate the percentage ownership allowed.
"As new negotiations have begun, the starting point will be 20 percent", said GNP Rep. Choung Byoung-gug, leader of the party's special committee on the bills.
The conservative party has devised a package of bills to make way for print media to own broadcasting networks.
Under the bills, conglomerates and newspapers could have up to a 20-percent stake in terrestrial broadcasters while private companies and newspapers would be allowed to own up to 49 percent of general and news-only cable channels.
Foreigners would be allowed to own a maximum 20 percent of a cable broadcaster.
The party claimed the measures are aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the media industry in terms of globalization, and creating more jobs.
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) objects to the bills, expressing concern that local conglomerates and some conservative print media may take over the broadcasters.
The two rival camps show no sign of backing off from their stance toward the consultative body, which will collect public opinion.
"As the parties agreed, opinion collected from the body must be reflected in the bills", said DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun. "We will not tolerate the GNP refusing to consider public opinion and adhering to the original bills".
The GNP said it would review decisions made from the consultative organization.
An Assembly subcommittee on communications and broadcasting approved the bipartisan agreement to organize the consultative body Friday.
The body involving professors and members of civic groups will discuss the disputed media industry-related bills until mid-June.
Committee members will be confirmed by March 12 and have its first meeting a day later.
Staff Reporter
The ruling and opposition parties still face difficulty in narrowing the gap over cross-media ownership restrictions despite the establishment of an inter-party body to discuss the contentious media bills Friday.
The governing Grand National Party (GNP) had told the opposition it could withdraw a bill which, if passed, would allow conglomerates and newspapers to own up to a 20 percent share in networks.
However, the ruling party suddenly changed its stance and said it will negotiate the percentage ownership allowed.
"As new negotiations have begun, the starting point will be 20 percent", said GNP Rep. Choung Byoung-gug, leader of the party's special committee on the bills.
The conservative party has devised a package of bills to make way for print media to own broadcasting networks.
Under the bills, conglomerates and newspapers could have up to a 20-percent stake in terrestrial broadcasters while private companies and newspapers would be allowed to own up to 49 percent of general and news-only cable channels.
Foreigners would be allowed to own a maximum 20 percent of a cable broadcaster.
The party claimed the measures are aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the media industry in terms of globalization, and creating more jobs.
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) objects to the bills, expressing concern that local conglomerates and some conservative print media may take over the broadcasters.
The two rival camps show no sign of backing off from their stance toward the consultative body, which will collect public opinion.
"As the parties agreed, opinion collected from the body must be reflected in the bills", said DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun. "We will not tolerate the GNP refusing to consider public opinion and adhering to the original bills".
The GNP said it would review decisions made from the consultative organization.
An Assembly subcommittee on communications and broadcasting approved the bipartisan agreement to organize the consultative body Friday.
The body involving professors and members of civic groups will discuss the disputed media industry-related bills until mid-June.
Committee members will be confirmed by March 12 and have its first meeting a day later.
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