The Korean Newspapers Association issued a statement Friday concerning Hankyoreh reporter Seong Han-yong¡¯s book ¡°Why DJ Failed At Resolving Regional Discord¡± calling for the immediate release of jailed newspaper owners. The statement said that the book revealed the true nature of media suppression under the guise of so-called reform and justice in taxation.
The KNA, composed of editors from newspapers and broadcasters, said that the government¡¯s claim that the National Tax Service and Fair Trade Commission investigations into media companies was regular and normal had been proven beyond doubt to be a lie by Seong who had quoted senior Cheong Wa Dae secretaries in his book.
The association continued that the only choice for the government was to disclose the full truth behind the incident and ask for the forgiveness of the people, and make efforts to reinstate the honor of the relevant media companies and their owners.
The statement called upon the court to grant the owners bail and conduct a fair trial, considering that most of the charges against the six newspapers involved were politically fabricated to frame them.
(Jin Seong-ho, shjin@chosun.com)
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