The Chosun Ilbo and Censorship

While I would agree that the current South Korean government has tried to intimidate and weaken opposition newspapers, I nonconcur with the implication that disputing the accuracy of articles is a subterfuge for censorship. I’m not comfortable with ajumma-state arbitration/oversight boards that are vulnerable to political packing–fair enough. I have the same concerns about our own FCC and the Fairness Doctrine. But if the Chosun Ilbo wants free-speech martyr status, it will first need to persuade me that there’s a political motive behind the complaints, and that the stories were accurate as reported.

One correction on the linked backgrounder–I recall reading that President Roh dropped his ill-advised plan to channel funds into the left-leaning Hankyoreh Sinmun. Can’t find the link now.