ID :
39376
Wed, 01/07/2009 - 19:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/39376
The shortlink copeid
Media workers to suspend strike, but keep heat on gov't
SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Yonhap) -- Hundreds of media employees who have protested against a government-led plan to allow media cross-ownership said Wednesday they will suspend their strike and return to work the following day.
The media unionists maintained their pressure, however, warning they will walk
out again should the government renew its push to settle the media-related bills
they have condemned as "authoritarian" and "pro-conglomerate."
Media workers, including prominent news anchors of major broadcaster MBC, have
been taking turns boycotting their work since late last month, demanding the
nullification of President Lee Myung-bak's sweeping media reforms under which
large firms and dominating newspapers will be allowed to own television networks.
"We temporarily suspend our strike as rival parties agreed to delay passing the
media laws until after re-discussions," the National Union of Media Workers said
in a press release. "But we will immediately resume our strike should the
government and the ruling party renew their push to settle the bills."
The union's decision comes after a partisan agreement late Tuesday to put off the
vote on several controversial bills, including the media ownership deregulation,
until February. The last-minute agreement resolved a month-long deadlock in the
legislature, but tensions linger as President Lee and his party have not fully
given up their plan to revise the media laws.
Following his inauguration in February, Lee, a former CEO and strong believer in
market principles, proposed amending media laws that have so far prevented a
small number of firms from dominating the entire media market.
Under Lee's plan, a single firm will be allowed to own a daily newspaper as well
as cable and online news channels, scrapping the current law that prohibits
cross-ownership of print media and television stations.
The proposal triggered strong concerns here as only three right-leaning
vernacular newspapers that already control nearly 70 percent of print media
circulation are said to have enough resources to enter the television industry.
The three newspapers -- the Chosun Ilbo, the Joongang Ilbo and the Dong-a Ilbo --
are President Lee's biggest supporters and are eager for the chance to extend
their print dominance to television.
Broadcasters, however, accuse Lee of attempting to tame and control the media,
citing his recent appointment of people they see as "pro-government" as chiefs of
public broadcaster KBS and cable news channel YTN.
Unionized workers of MBC, which is especially critical of Lee's media policies,
said they will also get back to work as of 6 a.m. Thursday. The broadcaster has
been at odds with the administration since it aired reports critical of the
reopening of the South Korean market to U.S. beef last summer.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
The media unionists maintained their pressure, however, warning they will walk
out again should the government renew its push to settle the media-related bills
they have condemned as "authoritarian" and "pro-conglomerate."
Media workers, including prominent news anchors of major broadcaster MBC, have
been taking turns boycotting their work since late last month, demanding the
nullification of President Lee Myung-bak's sweeping media reforms under which
large firms and dominating newspapers will be allowed to own television networks.
"We temporarily suspend our strike as rival parties agreed to delay passing the
media laws until after re-discussions," the National Union of Media Workers said
in a press release. "But we will immediately resume our strike should the
government and the ruling party renew their push to settle the bills."
The union's decision comes after a partisan agreement late Tuesday to put off the
vote on several controversial bills, including the media ownership deregulation,
until February. The last-minute agreement resolved a month-long deadlock in the
legislature, but tensions linger as President Lee and his party have not fully
given up their plan to revise the media laws.
Following his inauguration in February, Lee, a former CEO and strong believer in
market principles, proposed amending media laws that have so far prevented a
small number of firms from dominating the entire media market.
Under Lee's plan, a single firm will be allowed to own a daily newspaper as well
as cable and online news channels, scrapping the current law that prohibits
cross-ownership of print media and television stations.
The proposal triggered strong concerns here as only three right-leaning
vernacular newspapers that already control nearly 70 percent of print media
circulation are said to have enough resources to enter the television industry.
The three newspapers -- the Chosun Ilbo, the Joongang Ilbo and the Dong-a Ilbo --
are President Lee's biggest supporters and are eager for the chance to extend
their print dominance to television.
Broadcasters, however, accuse Lee of attempting to tame and control the media,
citing his recent appointment of people they see as "pro-government" as chiefs of
public broadcaster KBS and cable news channel YTN.
Unionized workers of MBC, which is especially critical of Lee's media policies,
said they will also get back to work as of 6 a.m. Thursday. The broadcaster has
been at odds with the administration since it aired reports critical of the
reopening of the South Korean market to U.S. beef last summer.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
