The column began: “Among the unseen power groups in our society, the power of the press is the most representative. The press is not restrained by any system and it is not enough for the press to be self-restrained. Therefore, there must be mutual control.”

President Roh said that under the Japanese colonial rule the press and the government worked together in a symbiotic way to perpetuate injustice, and that the formation of vested rights was the result of an illicit union between the government and the press. Observers said that this kind of logic, especially voiced by the present, will surely stir up adverse criticism.

Roh continued: “Whenever the most powerful authorities - political authorities and the press - collaborate to augment injustice, the conscience of the era has retreated and the people have been hurt. The colonial era under Japan was like that, as was the age of dictatorship. Vested rights that believe justice is equal to power were formed by the illicit connection of the government and the press.”

The agenda set by the press immediately becomes the social agenda, Roh argued. "Therefore the press must be very careful and fair when choosing the topic of discussion.”

He touched on the media's criticism of his moves to start an online government newspaper and press lawsuits against critical newspapers, saying, “The freedom of the press does not include the freedom to distort facts, exaggerate or gloss over falsehoods as if they were true.”

The government should deal more harshly with illegal acts and unfair trade committed by the media groups, compared with wrongdoing committed by "regular companies,” Roh said. “Still, we will not pressure the media in any unusual way - but they should not be allowed exceptional privileges.”

Roh claimed that his contentious relations with certain media firms were not based on personal animosity, and added that although it is difficult and risky to stand against the press, he felt it was “an important thing to do to promote a true democracy.” (Jeong Woo-sang, imagine@chosun.com )