Undemocratic action against Mediact in South Korea
We are appalled by and condemn the decision to dismantle Mediact, South Korea’s renowned public media centre, and force its staff to resign. Mediact has been involved in the promotion of communication rights and democracy, media literacy, intellectual property rights and public interest media.
The Korea Film Council (KOFIC), which had been funding the activities of Mediact, recently decided to end its funding. This will certainly cause immense damage to the Korean media industry and freedom of expression in the country.
The larger backdrop is that the democratic advances previously secured in South Korea are now in danger of erosion. Over the last two years, the Lee Myung-bak regime has introduced new media laws and attempted to curb the country's free and independent media.
We urge the South Korean government to instruct the KOFIC together with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to reverse this decision immediately.
Such a move would not only be honourable but also go a long way towards promoting arts and creativity, and freedom of expression in South Korea.
Dr Mustafa K Anuar and Anil Netto
Coordinators
Charter 2000-Aliran
27 January 2010
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