Opposition Declares War on TV Network

The opposition Grand National Party on Friday began an all-out war against MBC, a major television network, saying the network's critical coverage of the party is indicative of its support for the government's attempt to seize indirect control over newspaper companies.

During a committee meeting at the National Assembly on Tuesday, opposition lawmakers criticized the network for working as the mouthpiece of the government in its support for the revival of stricter regulations on newspaper companies.

"MBC's distortion of our legitimate criticism amounts to a serious challenge to the legislature," opposition lawmakers announced at the National Assembly's Culture and Tourism Committee on Friday.

MBC's evening news program on Wednesday charged that the opposition party is in collusion with the nation's three largest newspapers - JoongAng Ilbo, Dong-a Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo.

The network also reported that the opposition party is trying to line up support from the print media for the presidential election in 2002.

"MBC has begun to side with the government in cracking down on the opposition," said Park Kwan-yong, the chairman of an opposition party committee on preventing press control. "We strongly suspect MBC is in cahoots with the government."

Mr. Park demanded an apology and a correction from MBC. Should the network refuse to heed the request, he added, the opposition party would resort to legal action such as filing a complaint with the Press Arbitration Commission.

Opposition lawmaker Shim Kyu-cheol said the network's biased coverage is an attempt to enervate the National Assembly. Rep. Park Chong-ung said MBC's ratings are dropping fast because of its pro-government stance.

Network officials responded by saying, "The accusations are groundless and damaging to our reputation. But we do not intend to engage in the wasteful fighting between political parties."

The ruling Millennium Democrats and Kim Joong-bae, president and CEO of MBC, did not attend Friday's meeting of the Culture and Tourism Committee.

by Seo Seung-wook