1. Broadcast Media Committee: Key Appointments and Future Challenges Ahead2. Will the New Broadcast Media Committee Improve Viewership Rights in Korea?3. Understanding the Broadcast Media Committee’s Role: What You Need to Know{ k01 } Will the New Broadcast Media Committee Improve Viewership Rights in Korea?

On February 10th, Choi Min-hee, chair of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, announced during a general meeting, “The committee members for the Broadcasting Media Communications Commission will be voted on in the National Assembly plenary session on the 12th.”
Prior to the commission’s parliamentary briefing, Chairperson Choi stated, “The selection process for both the Broadcasting Media Communications Commission and the Broadcasting Media Communications Review Committee members has been completed.”
Since its establishment, the Broadcasting Media Communications Commission has been operating below quorum, with only two presidential appointees out of seven total members. The review process is expected to normalize once the National Assembly approves its recommended members in the plenary session.
The ruling party has nominated Professor Ko Min-soo from Gangneung-Wonju National University as a standing member and Professor Yoon Sung-ok from Kyonggi University as a non-standing member. Sources indicate that the opposition People Power Party is considering former Broadcasting and Communications Commissioner Kim Woo-seok for a standing member position, while Song Young-hee, an adjunct professor at Chung-Ang University, and Choi Soo-young, a former KBS viewer committee member, are potential non-standing member candidates.
Democratic Party lawmaker Han Min-soo commented, “I’ve been informed that the People Power Party’s Supreme Council approved the recommendation of three opposition party members yesterday. Though delayed, I believe this marks a step towards normalizing the Broadcasting Media Communications Commission.”
However, Choi Hyung-doo, the opposition party’s communications committee secretary, clarified, “While we’ve made recommendations, it’s not a final decision from the Supreme Council. The Public Official Recommendation Committee is still conducting its final review.” He added, “We need to complete the vetting process to ensure balanced decision-making on various bills and policies before we can proceed with the vote on the 12th.”
In related news, Kim Jong-cheol, chair of the Broadcasting Media Communications Commission, expressed concern about the limited broadcast coverage of the recently opened Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, which is currently exclusive to JTBC. He stated, “It’s regrettable that public viewing access is so restricted.”
Chairperson Kim explained, “Current legislation provides very limited legal grounds to mandate negotiations for broadcasting rights between networks.” He added, “We’re preparing to amend the law to address these issues.” Kim emphasized, “Universal viewing rights are a core value in fulfilling broadcasting’s public responsibility.”
Reporter Choi Da-hyun da2109@etnews.com