Revision of Media Laws and Cross-Ownership of Newspaper and Broadcasting in 2009

Abstract

As media convergence proceeded, cross-media ownership regulation eased globally. The conservative Korean government realized the importance of revitalizing the media industry by relaxing media ownership and regulation. After intense debate, the government amended media laws to allow newspaper and broadcasting firms to cooperate with each other and to grow into a media conglomerate. The progressive opposition party and civil society opposed against this trend, wary of a possible monopoly of public opinion. To ensure diversity of public opinion, the government established a media diversity committee as well as an audience-share regulation system. The media market expanded as a result of the easing of media ownership regulations. In particular, newspaper companies were able to provide general programming channels and to have the opportunity to grow into a media group.