It is most unfortunate that the excitement being felt as we approach the World Cup is about to be spoiled, with the Federation Int?national?de Football Association (FIFA) demanding large sums of money for companies owning the large electronic screens in Gwanghawmun and other areas for showing the World Cup live. It? pathetic that the Korean organizing committee and Korean Football Association failed to get things together on this. The cheering that has gone on the streets near these screens has been no less a public festival than at the stadium. Citizens will have this tiny little joy taken from them if it all has to stop because of demands for payment to be able to relay the matches.
Korea has paid US$60 million (approximately W77 billion) for the broadcast relay rights to the World Cup, up to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. FIFA? position is that this amount covers television broadcasting via the airwaves, satellites, and cable, and that any group viewing on large electronic screens or multi-vision is not included. It is FIFA that exercises all rights to the World Cup. This being the case, the organizing committee should have negotiated for this from the start, in order to avoid this latest situation. When you?e not ready, the side demanding the money gets to call the price, and there isn? much that can be done.
They say that FIFA is demanding W50 million for Korean matches, and W5 billion for the whole Cup. A few gu offices in Seoul have grudgingly decided to pay these fees to be able to relay the matches, but some non-central governments that had been relaying friendlies until now are said to have given up any further plans to do so. In the case of electronic signs located downtown, the financial demands have been particularly high, and there have been difficulties in negotiating agreements. If the broadcasts have to stop because of the burden of relay payments, it will mean an end to cheering in the streets.
There are two ways for dealing with the problem at this point. One would be to convince FIFA of how relaying matches on electronic screens is not for commercial purposes, that it is part of civic culture for the public good, and winning lower fees. The other option would be for the Korean Football Association, the Korean organizing committee, or some business concern to pay the money being demanded in order to be able to relay the event in the now popular downtown area where so many have gathered to cheer and lend their support. As commercial as they say the World Cup has become, it is most unfortunate that citizens have to be upset over this untimely demand for money.
(May 29, 2002)
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