Cancel KBC decision

The Korean Broadcasting Commission’s decision to grant broadcasting rights on the cable network to government-owned or operated channels only, including KTV, must be withdrawn. Private PPs, or program providers, will strongly object to the decision. But this is not the only reason for the government to withdraw the new policy. It is obvious that government-related channels will flood the people with news promoting government policies.
A commission official admits that pressure did come from the government ordering the commission to allow the four channels to broadcast administration news.
President Roh Moo-hyun explained that KTV exists to convey news that is sometimes not broadcast by other news outlets. This also explains that KTV indeed is a PR channel for the government. Is it natural for the government to take advantage of the channels, which are a public asset, for their own propaganda?
The Government Information Agency is already giving priority to government organizations when they publicize their policies through KTV and other government outlets, rather than private-sector media firms, which are more frequently read and seen by the public.
How can the government guarantee that the government-owned channels will not produce news that will attack media that oppose the government or opposition political parties? Especially when the government channels are officially recognized.
The purpose of the commission is to regulate cable channels so that not all channels focus on broadcasting news. Allowing only two channels to broadcast news, however, is a regulation that is too strict, many say.
Moreover, the government is regulating the private sector and then allowing government-owned channels to broadcast under the guise of public interest. That raises objections and suspicions regarding the political background of the decision.
It should be noted that a large number of commission members are closely related to the government or the ruling party.
During the dispute the commission has overlooked the religious channels and traffic channels.
Was the reporting on religious channels too sensitive for them to deal with?
The commission’s decision has been made to favor the government and has no principles or consistency.
There is no need to hesitate. Cancel the decision, immediately.