Election Broadcasting Review Committee Issues ‘Representative Disciplinary Action’ Against MBC Over Luxury Bag Controversy

◀ Anchor ▶

Regarding MBC’s ‘Straight’, which reported on the controversy surrounding the acceptance of first lady Kim Kun-hee’s luxury bag, the Election Broadcasting Review Committee issued a ‘representative disciplinary action’, which amounts to very poor discipline.

Of the 30 legal sanctions during this general election period, as many as 17 targeted MBC alone.

As reports that are even related to the election are censored indiscriminately, ‘bias and targeted disputes’ continue.

Reporter Yongju Lee reports.

◀ Statement ▶

Last February, MBC’s ‘Straight’ broadcast reported on the controversy surrounding the president’s wife, Kim Kun-hee, receiving luxury goods.

[MBC ′스트레이트′(지난 2월25일 방송)]

“Today, ‘Straight’ looks at these allegations and examines the powers and duties of the First Lady.

There was also a scene in the broadcast where Miss Kim was given a luxury bag.

This video was secretly filmed by Pastor Choi Jae-young, who met Mrs. Kim, and has been widely distributed online since last year.

However, the 22nd General Election Broadcast Review Committee initiated disciplinary action after receiving a complaint that MBC aired this scene as if it were routine coverage.

Members of the passport proposal committee raised issues from the time of the broadcast.

He was accused of aiming to harm the president and his family just 45 days before the general election.

One member of the ruling party defended Mrs Kim, saying, “An ordinary housewife was ashamed to refuse a gift that strained her relationship with her late father, but suddenly her ‘ a woman talking about receiving a bribe.

In the end, with the approval of members of the ruling party, the highest level of legal sanctions against broadcasting companies, ‘official disciplinary action’, was decided.

In a statement of opinion, MBC rejected the report by saying, “We did not report the advantages and disadvantages of a particular political party, and investigative reports should identify those with responsibility and authority ,” but it was not accepted.

[이호찬/전국언론노조 MBC본부장]

″ (Even after the general election), the “quiet” discussions of the Election Broadcasting Review Committee are still going on, and it feels like the revenge against MBC and hostile feelings towards MBC have increased .”

As a result, MBC received the 17th legal sanction from the National Defense Commission.

Of the 30 disciplinary actions, more than half were committed to MBC.

In particular, the scale is extremely large compared to the number of legal sanctions imposed by the National Electoral Commission since its launch in 2008.

[윤창현/전국언론노조위원장]

“All reports that are not directly related to the election and may go against the will of the so-called administration are considered, and they continue to overuse the ridiculous speculation if you wear it on your ear, it is a ring. or ‘if it’s on your nose, it’s a nose ring’… ″

The press union reported five members to the charge, saying, “Press freedom has been curtailed and broadcasting regulation has been breached due to excessive control by the National Defense Commission.” ”

This is Lee Yong-ju from MBC News.

Video Broadcast: Jeong Yeon-cheol / Video Editing: Bae Woo-jin