Abstract
The media are highly involved in the development or limitation of democracy. In South Korea (hereafter Korea) the history of the media companies has been about allying themselves with political power through partnerships under authoritarian rule. Some of these companies are still strong and influential groups as cultural producers in Korean society. Press freedom without social responsibility by major conservative newspapers has led to a conflicted society and a threat to grassroots democracy in Korea today. This paper explores journalists’ responses to four main issues regarding the press environment and democracy in Korea. There are some differences in ideas about the press environment and democracy between actual practice and the journalists’ perspectives. These differences may come from the lack of media practitioners’ views regarding ethics of journalism, discrepancies in Korean democracy such as the strong influence of clientelism, the limitation of traditional media as a mechanism of two-way communication, and the idealistic thinking of journalists.
Highlights
Justice and ethics are often overlooked and the truth can be distorted if the media collude with political power groups and big business. Herman and Chomsky (1988) argue, "The democratic postulate is that the media are independent and committed to discovering and reporting the truth and that they do not merely reflect the world as powerful groups wish it to be perceived." In this conception the ideal purpose of the media should be to encourage equal opportunity and a harmonious democratic society
Since 2008 political power has returned to the conservative group, according to Sa (2009b), the Korean grassroots democracy and press freedom that developed during the liberal rule Kim and Roh have been threatened by the dictatorial style of leading groups such as the president, the Grand National Party and major conservative newspapers
This paper explored journalists’ responses to four main issues regarding the press environment and democracy in Korea: firstly, what they understood as the most important roles of the media; secondly, the importance of press freedom; thirdly, factors determining subscriptions to particular newspapers; and lastly, rights to press freedom
Summary
Justice and ethics are often overlooked and the truth can be distorted if the media collude with political power groups and big business. Herman and Chomsky (1988) argue, "The democratic postulate is that the media are independent and committed to discovering and reporting the truth and that they do not merely reflect the world as powerful groups wish it to be perceived." In this conception the ideal purpose of the media should be to encourage equal opportunity and a harmonious democratic society. Korean culture has been based on long colonial and authoritarian rule, which have led to a “habitus” of clientelism This has been a powerful factor shaping media culture. The history of the Korean media companies has been about allying themselves with political power through partnerships under authoritarian rule This is one of the reasons why dictators or conservative groups in Korea could maintain power over such a long period, for more than several decades including Japanese colonial era. As a result of their collusion the media companies have gained more social power (Park, Kim & Sohn, 2000) These conservative elements have more power than liberal elements in many areas of Korea because of long authoritarian rule. It discusses four issues: the important roles of the media; the importance of press freedom; factors determining subscriptions to particular newspapers; and lastly, rights to press freedom
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
