KCC chair vows to reform broadcasters, crack down on fake news

Lee Dong-kwan, the new chief of the Korea Communications Commission, gives his appointment speech at the Gwacheon government complex in Gyeonggi on Monday. [NEWS1]

Lee Dong-kwan, the new chairman at the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), has vowed to reform public broadcasters, slamming TV stations for a lack of transparency and impartiality.

“I will work towards reforming the structure of broadcasters,” Lee said during his appointment speech at the Gwacheon government complex in Gyeonggi. “If prior attempts at changing the broadcasting ecosystem were merely at the level of remodeling, this time the Korea Communications Commission will strive to restructure the fundamentals of the industry — such as its service, finances and human resources — to secure political impartiality and independence.”

Lee also promised stricter guidelines to monitor fake news in internet portals that are already playing a considerable role in the media.

“Fake news and related provocations in social media and portal sites is a fundamental threat to democracy,” he said. “KCC will strictly monitor fake news and its distribution. We also aim to recover the devastated journalism ecosystem by preventing the formation of a monopoly in news prevalent in portals.”

Further, Lee aims to overhaul platform-related policies so the country can become a power player in the global media and content industry.

Lee promised to refurbish old policies and support services of new media formats, as well as resolve digital discrimination and strictly deal with digital violence.

Lee, a former Dong-A Ilbo reporter, served as a former Blue House spokesperson and senior presidential secretary for press affairs under the Lee Myung-bak administration.

He served as a special adviser for external relations under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration before his appointment as the new KCC chairman.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]