The opposition party lawmakers in the committee argued with Cheong Wa Dae officials about the Cheong Wa Dae press secretary Lee Byoung-wan’s open refusal to respond to Donga Ilbo reporters.

The Grand National Party lawmaker Goh Heung-gil said, “Public broadcasting companies are aligning with the Roh Moo-hyun administration’s policy to 'hit' newspapers and are concentrating on 'mating' with the government. The level of criticism of the broadcasts toward newspapers are even surpassing those of the ‘Cheong Wa Dae briefings.’”

Since the launch of the Roh Moo-hyun government, Goh added, MBC and now KBS have created media watch programs that criticize the contents of newspaper reports in almost every airing. The frequency and contents of these programs go beyond reasonable bounds, Goh said.

Another GNP lawmaker, Kim Il-yun said, “Looking at the conference records of the MBC Viewers Committee, some members suggest a war with newspapers is developing. This is creating a strange media system in which broadcasting companies are pro-authority and newspapers restrain authority.”

Kim Sung-ho of the new People's Participatory and Unity Party, said, “Mutual criticism between channels guarantees a maximum freedom of press and is an efficient self-restraint system that can question the responsibilities of the media. It is important in media reform.” He claimed that saying media watch programs are prejudiced is distorting the essential functions of media reform.

The GNP vice spokesperson Shim Yang-seop said, “Cheong Wa Dae must immediately withdraw Lee Byoung-wan’s policy to refuse Dong-a Ilbo reporting to swiftly normalize the relationship between the government and the media, which has become even more twisted with this government. Those related should take responsibility.”

Shim continued: “It is a shame that when President Roh was informed that Donga Ilbo was banned from news coverage, he did not reproach Lee for his emotional conduct nor order that the measures be withdrawn. I would like to ask whether or not the attitude of the president could be this easygoing and irresponsible.”

According to the press report classification standards that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has begun at Roh’s command, Donga Ilbo’s article was neither a "false report" nor a "critical report," Shim explained. To take such extreme measures before carrying out the basic procedures of presenting objections may satisfy the person in power, but it does not win the consent of the people.

Lee Byoung-wan replied, “I cannot agree that it is an infringement of freedom of the press…The matter must not be exaggerated. If the truth is distorted, we have the authority and responsibility to put it right.” When Dong-a Ilbo reported on suspicions regarding the first lady’s allegedly unregistered apartment in Busan last Sunday, Lee said, “This is a curse and manifestation of hostility. I order that the office no longer respond to the investigations of Dong-a Ilbo reporters from now on.” (Kim Min-cheol, mckim@chosun.com )