The press serves the crucial role of watching over political and economic powers to defend democracy. In South Korea, the news media’s ties with authoritarian regimes in the past, its function as a pseudo-government agency, and the size and influence of media over public opinion have given it the nickname “the fourth body of government”. Although the ties – both overt and subtle – between the press and the government have become weaker since, there is still a need for watchdogs of the press.
On an official level, public commissions and agencies watch over news media. The Korea Communications Commission, Korea Press Ethics Commission, Internet Newspaper Committee, and Press Arbitration Commission are the major institutions that watch for violation of human rights in news, regulations, and other media laws, keeping the press under both the direct and indirect influence of the government.
Non-profit organisations acting as media watchdogs, independent and self-governing entities that regularly monitor and evaluate news media, are also prominent players in the media in South Korea. However, some non-profit organisations take partisan positions, which further aggravates polarisation and promotes distrust in news media. Most of the media watchdogs in South Korea emerged out of citizen movements, whether it be consumer activism, monitoring, or media reform movements (Chung, 2017). The Citizens’ Coalition for Democratic Media is an independent organisation founded in 1984. It was conceived by journalists and reporters fired from the press during the authoritarian regime, persecuted by both the administration and the news media owners (Citizens’ Coalition for Democratic Media, n.d.). Citizens’ Coalition for Democratic Media sets the agenda for media reform and independent press while also monitoring the press and offering policy suggestions. The Korea Press Consumerism Organisation is a non-governmental organisation famous for its boycott campaign against the three major conservative newspapers: the Chosun Ilbo, JoongAng Ilbo, and Dong-A Ilbo. While Korea Press Consumerism Organisation focuses on consumer activism for media reform, grassroots organisations like Cultural Action and WomenLink monitor issue commentaries and engage in public access movements or host public discussions as watchdog organisations. WomenLink focuses on gender issues and women’s rights in media content. These organisations also form different coalitions, like the People’s Coalition for Media Reform, to join forces for specific issues of interest.
The National Union of Media Workers also plays a role in watching the media. Founded in 2000 as an industry union serving the legacy of the Korean Federation of Press Unions, the union serves media workers by advocating for fair pay and better working conditions. A part of its mission is also to support media reform by promoting self-regulation among journalists and advocating for independent editorial and programming. The National Union of Media Workers has 14,512 members and 72 chapters around the country. Since its first publication as the union newspaper in 1989, the Media Union Newspaper provides articles and commentary on ownership structures, media policies, and media reform.
Media Today is a periodical which specialises in reporting on media coverage. Originally published by journalists and editors as a weekly periodical on news coverage, Media Today now also offers an online news site updated daily with articles and commentaries on the South Korean press in addition to its weekly print publication. Legacy news outlets also air feature television documentaries and report coverage on journalistic practices and various issues in the news media industry, albeit infrequently.
While there are plenty of personal blogs that offer analyses and personal insights into the state of South Korean press, no single blog stands out as either the most influential voice in the blogosphere or as an expert media watchdog blog.
