[Editorial] Kim Yoh-jin banned at MBC

Posted on : 2011-07-16 11:41 KST Modified on : 2011-07-16 11:41 KST

Yesterday, a previously announced appearance by actress Kim Yoh-jin as a regular panelist on the MBC current affairs radio show “Son Suk-hee’s Spotlight” was officially canceled. The measure was reported based on a new MBC broadcasting review regulation prohibiting fixed appearances by figures who make “social statements.” This decision is utterly unacceptable, as the new regulation violates basic media sense and inhibits freedom of expression.
As of July 18, Kim was to appear on the progressive panel of the show’s “Progressive vs. Conservative Debate"”every other week, engaging in debates with conservative attorney Cheon Won-chaek. But MBC changed its review regulations a few days ago to prevent regular appearances on current affairs programs by “people who openly support or oppose the views of any specific individual or group or act to its benefit or detriment on socially contentious issues or issues where interests are sharply opposed.” With this, it finally solidified a regulation that has been criticized as a “social-tainer appearance ban.” Kim is a leading social-tainer who has been vocal about issues such as the treatment of temporary cleaning staffs at Hongik University, the strike and protest of workers at Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC), and calls for 50 percent reductions in tuition rates.
MBC’s new regulation is a farcical measure that stifles its own freedom of expression, a core value of the press. The basic mission of the press is to communicate a variety of social views, yet people who wish to appear regularly on programs have to keep their mouths shut on controversial political, social, and economy issues even outside the broadcasting environment. And given that the format of the "Progressive vs. Conservative Debate" has two people with different ideological leanings debating issues, the very segment is scarcely possible based on the new regulations. In additions, MBC changed the conditions defining a regular appearance from “once a week” to “regular and repeated appearances” in the new regulation. This is nothing more than a shameless ploy with the specific intention of preventing Kim Yoh-jin from appearing.
We hope that MBC immediately amends this antagonistic regulation and reconsiders its ban on appearances by Kim Yoh-jin.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

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