Media workers escalate protest against media reforms

SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- Hundreds of unionized workers at the country's
newspaper and television networks will go on an indefinite strike this week to
protest President Lee Myung-bak's sweeping media reforms they view as
pro-conglomerate, union leaders said Monday.
The planned mass walkout is the third of its kind since President Lee took office
in February last year.
Lee's Grand National Party vowed to put the media reform bills to a full-house
vote with or without its rival's consent before the current parliamentary session
ends on Saturday. The ruling party, controlling 169 seats in the 299-member
unicameral house, suggested several revised versions of the bill, all of which
were spurned by the main opposition Democratic Party.
"We will resume the walkout from 6 a.m. Tuesday," the National Union of Media
Workers said in a press release. "We will fight for the sake of the independence
of the media using all possible measures. The government and the ruling party
should be prepared for grave consequences should they force the bill through."
Media reforms have been a source of heated debate here, broadcasters and
progressive activists opposing the plan under which large firms and major
newspapers would be allowed to own television networks.
The current law, established in the 1980s, prohibits cross-ownership of print
media and television stations to prevent monopolies in the media industry.
President Lee, a former CEO and strong proponent of market principles, has been
seeking to amend the laws since his inauguration to spur competition between
media outlets and bolster the sectors he believes are falling behind in global
trends.
Dissenters call the plan "pro-conglomerate" because only three right-leaning
vernacular newspapers, who already control nearly 70 percent of print media
circulation, are said to have enough resources to enter the television industry.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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