The Fair Trade Commission rejected an appeal submitted by seven media companies, including the Chosun Ilbo, Donga Ilbo, and KBS, against fines imposed on unfair internal transactions, Thursday, but accepted a petition from the Munhwa Ilbo.
The FTC levied a total of W20.951 billion in fines against 13 newspapers and broadcasters for alleged unfair internal transactions among affiliates on July 13. Eight media companies; the Chosun Ilbo, Donga Ilbo, Kukmin Ilbo, Hankook Ilbo, Munhwa Ilbo, Korea Daily News, KBS and SBS; and their 15 affiliates submitted objections in September, while the Joongang Ilbo and MBC filed administrative litigation directly with the Seoul High Court.
Following the FTC rejection, the media companies are expected to bring the case to the court for administrative litigation.
(Kim Gi-hun, khkim@chosun.com)
See our list of related articles titled
"Press Under Siege."
