The overall background and atmosphere of the Kim Dae-jung administration's tax investigation of the press in 2001 was reaffirmed from the written particulars of the media documents that were discovered in the home of Lee Su-dong, the former executive director of the Kim Dae-jung Peace Foundation for the Asia-Pacific region. One cannot help but laugh at the crudeness of the contents and yet be surprised by the fact that the KDPF adviser on certain regional local press had anything to say on "press reform."
Thinking of how many clever political tacticians and schemers were involved, until the final scenario was chosen as the draft of the 2001 press tax investigations, causes chills to run down one's spine. The new administration that is launched next February must shed light on every corner of the planning process of press oppression.
The method of development is another shock. One paper¡¯s title read, "The Urgent Need to Reform Major Daily Newspapers to Strengthen the Government's Restructuring and Power." When military administrations said, "Freedom of press must be restrained for the security of the country" everyone knew that it really meant, "in order to strengthen the administration." This file clearly shows that "reform" has taken the place of "national security" and that the true aim lies in strengthening the administration.
If the 'democratic factions' that fought against authoritative dictatorship have tried to silence a critical press just because it is critical, it is an amazing self-uncertainty and ethical failure. It is because many people believe that 'democracy' is not a medal that is once awarded, but something that one should devote oneself to for a lifetime. Press self-reform cannot be put on the same level with forced submission or surrender. We can only shudder at the thought of a government that thinks of shutting the mouths of newspapers one sudden morning just because they have the power.
(May 2, 2002)
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