ID :
53460
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 16:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/53460
The shortlink copeid
Cable news channel normalized as employees end walkout
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Employees at cable news channel YTN ended their strike and returned to work Thursday after making peace with the management, ending a protracted and tense disagreement over the appointment of the broadcaster's new chief.
Unionized workers at YTN, a 24-hour cable news network, have been on strike since
March 23, demanding the reinstatement of six unionists fired for opposing the
appointment of their new chief Koo Bon-hong, which they viewed as politically
motivated. Koo was formerly a media adviser to President Lee Myung-bak.
"We will return to work as of 8 a.m.," YTN labor union said in a press release
Thursday. "The management and labor have reached a nine-point agreement, which
includes dropping complaints against each other and following the court's order
concerning the reinstatement of the dismissed officials."
Since he took office a year ago, President Lee has been at odds with local
television stations, which accuse him of appointing personally close,
pro-government figures to top media industry positions.
YTN's management had filed suits against several union leaders, accusing them of
interfering with Koo's official duties by blocking off his office last year.
Police took into custody Roh Jong-myeon, the YTN union leader, last month,
triggering criticism at home and internationally over the government's alleged
attempt to suppress media freedom. Roh is expected to be released later Thursday,
according to an unnamed YTN official.
YTN's labor union, in return, agreed to suspend further "hostile actions" against
the management and drop a pending law suit against Koo.
The strike came amid lingering tension between local broadcasters and the Lee
administration over a slew of media reform bills aimed at allowing firms to own
both print and broadcast companies. The legislation has been supported by
conglomerates and market-dominating newspapers such as the Chosun Ilbo.
Critics claim the replacement of broadcaster heads is an initial step in the
president's ultimate plan to privatize state-run television channels.
State-run firms own up to 70 percent of YTN.
SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Employees at cable news channel YTN ended their strike and returned to work Thursday after making peace with the management, ending a protracted and tense disagreement over the appointment of the broadcaster's new chief.
Unionized workers at YTN, a 24-hour cable news network, have been on strike since
March 23, demanding the reinstatement of six unionists fired for opposing the
appointment of their new chief Koo Bon-hong, which they viewed as politically
motivated. Koo was formerly a media adviser to President Lee Myung-bak.
"We will return to work as of 8 a.m.," YTN labor union said in a press release
Thursday. "The management and labor have reached a nine-point agreement, which
includes dropping complaints against each other and following the court's order
concerning the reinstatement of the dismissed officials."
Since he took office a year ago, President Lee has been at odds with local
television stations, which accuse him of appointing personally close,
pro-government figures to top media industry positions.
YTN's management had filed suits against several union leaders, accusing them of
interfering with Koo's official duties by blocking off his office last year.
Police took into custody Roh Jong-myeon, the YTN union leader, last month,
triggering criticism at home and internationally over the government's alleged
attempt to suppress media freedom. Roh is expected to be released later Thursday,
according to an unnamed YTN official.
YTN's labor union, in return, agreed to suspend further "hostile actions" against
the management and drop a pending law suit against Koo.
The strike came amid lingering tension between local broadcasters and the Lee
administration over a slew of media reform bills aimed at allowing firms to own
both print and broadcast companies. The legislation has been supported by
conglomerates and market-dominating newspapers such as the Chosun Ilbo.
Critics claim the replacement of broadcaster heads is an initial step in the
president's ultimate plan to privatize state-run television channels.
State-run firms own up to 70 percent of YTN.
