Top court strikes down S Korean media bills
They are aimed at muzzling press freedom, most judges observe
Afp, Seoul
South Korea's constitutional court struck down new media bills yesterday, saying parts of the legislation were geared to muzzling press freedom.The court took specific aim at one clause which would limit the circulation of South Korea's top three newspapers. "The clause is in violation of business equality and freedom of the press." the 7-2 majority ruling of the nine justices said. Two new laws, championed by South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun's ruling Uri Party, were scheduled to come into effect on July 28 but now will have to be revised and resubmitted to parliament for approval. Citing anti-trust concerns, the Newspaper Law set out to limit the combined circulation of the top three newspapers to 60 percent of the market, and curb the circulation of any one newspaper to a maximum 30 percent. Press freedom advocates have said the measure was an attempt to silence newspapers unfriendly to Roh, a former human rights lawyer who took office in 2003. He has had an uneasy relationship with conservative dailies, accusing them of distorting his policies or publishing inaccurate stories. The three top newspapers, the conservative Chosun Ilbo, Dong-a Ilbo and pro-business JoongAng Ilbo, currently hold more than 70 percent of the market. The justices ruled that it was up to Korean people to choose which newspaper to read, not the law. "There is no great danger of illegal trading (by the three newspapers) as their status in the market is up to the choice of subscribers," said the ruling. But the court upheld parts of the new legislation, including a requirement that newspapers release information on their circulation and advertising income. Roh has said the new laws would increase competition in the print media, while the Chosun and the Dong-A dailies which brought the suit said the government wanted to assert control over the newsroom. The ruling was a new blow for Roh following his party's crushing defeat in local elections in May, which were seen as a referendum on the president's performance ahead of presidential polls next year. The Uri Party remains the major party in the National Assembly with 142 of the 299 seats. But public support for Uri and Roh has been sagging.
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