"When I take power I'm going to nationalize the major newspapers. I don't like the editorial tone of the [blank] Ilbo. When I get in power I'm going to demand the resignation of the president of that paper, and close the publication if he refuses."
If this statement was actually uttered by a current presidential hopeful, then it is more than your usual problem. It's close to impossible to believe anyone could actually say such a thing. It's hard to repeat the comment without feeling like you've been sent to see Stalin again.
On Thursday, aides to MDP presidential hopeful Rhee In-je alleged that Roh Mu-hyun, whom Rhee is running against in the party's presidential candidate selection process, uttered these words while having dinner with some journalists last August. When some of the reporters present asked what he meant, he allegedly said, "it would work if they are purchased with state bonds issued by the Bank of Korea." The Rhee camp also said that Roh would "limit the amount of stock in news media companies that a single person would be permitted to own."
In response, the Roh campaign's Yu Jong-pil issued a flat denial, claiming Noh couldn't even imagine making such a statement. It is not currently possible to determine which side is telling the truth, but as the press and the freedom of the press are part of the foundation of the liberal democratic system, the issue is an important one. This is because it would be unacceptable for someone desiring to become the president to have such a view of the press even deep inside his or her head.
The issue, therefore, deserves more than a proxy war by surrogates, and the candidates themselves should step forward. There needs to be some elucidation of the truth as to whether Roh indeed thinks that way or not. Only last year Roh also said "we need to declare war on the press." Now would seem an appropriate opportunity for him to give a full disclosure of his overall views of the role of the press.
(April 5, 2002)
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