Asia

South Korea

{This graph represents scores that have been modified by CIMA so that higher scores indicate a better media situation. It is intended to show trends over time; each index measures significantly different factors of press freedom. To see an explanation for how this graph was created, click here.}

Freedom House Score: 32 (Partly Free)	[Freedom House Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100}

RSF Score: 13.33	[RSF Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120}

Reporters Without Borders Description:

Police and the prosecutor’s office no longer hesitate to arrest journalists because of their reports. The prosecutor’s office harassed a team from public MBC television whose report on risks from imported US beef gave rise to major anti-government protests, holding one reporter for two days and making several attempts to search its premises.

Journalists and media workers’ unions reacted robustly in the face of “interventions” compromising their editorial independence. One particularly tough dispute took place at YTN television whose president was challenged for being close to the head of state. As a result four journalists were arrested and 20 others were sanctioned while a satirical news programme was taken off air.

South Korea is despite all this one of the very few Asian countries where there is real news pluralism. Although President Lee Myung-bak can rely on the support of the country’s three leading dailies which are conservative in outlook, there are also independent and pro-opposition media and large numbers of online publications

Asia

South Korea

Country Profiles: Asia

All Country Profiles