The ruling party lawmaker Shim Jae-kwon said the Internet news daily exceeded the legal authority of the Government Information Agency. He asked whether it made sense for the government to use its own Web sites to criticize the press, whose job it is to criticize the government.

Shim pointed out that the section in which government officials made objections to media reports could invite excessive conflict between the administration and press. Another section, he said, that analyzes various news articles showed the government's intent to condemn the press. "The conflict between the administration and press will not help the participatory government to succeed," Shim added.

Kim Seong-ho, another lawmaker from the Millennium Democratic Party, said the government would be abusing its authority in comparing and criticizing the various perspectives of the media.

The Grand National Party's Ko Heung-kil said that the government made its intentions clear by appointing the vice chief of the Government Information Agency, Jung Soon-kyun, as chief editor of the online daily. Jung has a record of attacking the media.

Cho, however, insisted that the Internet site would be operated without trouble.

Regarding Roh's lawsuit against four newspaper companies, the GNP's Choung Byoung-gug asked whether the case was about the president restoring his dignity or a war against the press. Choung added that since Roh had the power to appoint the Supreme Court justice as well as the justice minister, his lawsuit against the press amounted to oppression against them.

A United Liberal Democrat, Chung Jin-suk, said, "The fight between the press and the president is an unfair fight." Chung added that the press companies were private companies but the president is using public funds and manpower to win the fight. (Hong Seok-jun, udo@chosun.com )