Chojoongdong

Chojoongdong
Hangul	조중동
Hanja	朝中東
Revised Romanization	Jojungdong
McCune–Reischauer	Chojungdong

Cho-Joong-Dong (조중동, CJD) is a generally negative nickname for the three major newspapers in South Korea, the Chosun Ilbo, Joongang Ilbo and Dong-a Ilbo, which are criticized (primarily among local leftists)^{[citation needed]} for a purportedly uniform and conservative editorial stance, and for operating in an allegedly collusive and surreptitious manner. The name arises from a common local practice of forming three character acronyms as an abbreviation.

Critics of 'Chojoongdong' claim that there is an "evil" collusion" between CJD and the Lee Myung-bak government.^[1]

As of July 2008, the three newspapers occupy 58% of the newspaper subscription market in Korea.^[2].

Criticisms

Opponents of the three major newspapers accredit them with a disproportional degree of influence and power, to the extent that they believe that simply abolishing them would unleash major positive changes (one of the most prominent anti-newspaper organizations is called "Beautiful World Without Chojoongdong").^[3] Although the major newspapers are private organisations, and are competitors with each other, they are nevertheless considered by their opponents to be a monolithic, quasi-governmental organization. Criticism stems from their previous history of collaboration with Japanese colonialists more than 60 years ago (the Joongang Ilbo, however did not exist during the Japanese occupation) ^[4], as well as their collaboration with domestic authoritarian rule 20 years ago.

Censorship

Chojoongdong newspapers are known to have conservative tendencies of censoring news unfavorable to the conservative Lee Myung-bak government. The three newspapers have been censoring Wikileaks-related articles that expose negative issues under President Lee Myung-bak's administrative influence.^[5] Under Lee Myung-bak, the Chojoongdong cartel contributed influences to the KBS by firing Jung Yeon-ju, the then head of KBS.^[6] It has also censored court decisions that were advantageous to MBC's PD Note and its episode on 2008 Beef protests.^[7][8]

Japanese collaboration

Although Chosun Ilbo was founded as Korean newspapers, they eventually collaborated with Japanese military rule in the late colonial era, i.e. the 1930s and 40's. During this time, the newspaper encouraged Koreans to be loyal to Japan, to participate in the Pacific War, and “to be loyal to the Japanese emperor as his subjects."

Cartel of strategic marriages

Opponents believe that CJD have joined with the business world through strategic marriages ^[9][10], making their articles biased towards capital.

MBC current affairs program (Newswho) alleges that because there are direct or indirect marital relationships between the CJD and 30 Chaebol (business conglomerates) in Korea, they have conflicts of interest with respect to the revision of the Broadcast Law, one of the core subjects in the 279th National Assembly in Korea. The new law was passed in the Assembly last July. Many expect that the new law will give major printed newspaper companies a chance to expand their areas to broadcast stations. This biggest change in the media industry is going to make profitability of the printed newspapers a lot more easier. In addition, transition to the television world may allow more upscale and educated consumers in Korea to receive various aspects of information,as a result it can satisfy rapidly increasing information demands. On the other hand, some critics argue that newspaper companies with higher market share might hold monopoly in information industry. ^[11]

Pro-American bias

The Chojoongdong cartel is known to have a pro-American bias especially during the current conservative Lee Myung-bak government. Particularily the Chosun Ilbo came back into publication on November 23rd, 1945 with a support from the American military government. For instance, the three Chojoongdong newspapers simultaneously presented articles about the danger of negative rumors on the South Korea–United States Free Trade Agreement among South Korean social network service users, particularly on Twitter.^[12]

Anti-Cho-Joong-Dong movements

"Anti-ChoJoongDong sentiment" has existed in the past. However, in 2008, during the mad cow protests over US beef imports, the major newspapers showed a favourable attitude towards market opening and reported negatively on the candle lit demonstrations. This opposition temporarily stimulated a boycott movement^[13].

During the 2008 mad cow protests, protesters allegedly attacked and vandalised the buildings of the three major newspapers, and CJD newspapers claim that some of their employees where allegedly harassed.^[14][15]

Boycott movement

During the mad cow protests, Internet activists launched a movement to boycott advertisers who put advertisements in those newspapers. They shared a list of advertisers on the Internet, and then pressured advertisers by launching a harassment campaign via telephone or mail.^[16]

On February 19 2009, the court found guilty some activists who organised and ran the boycott, sentencing them to 10-months in jail (on a two-year suspended sentence) or fines. The defendants have indicated that they will launch an appeal.^[17]

See also

• Hankyungoh
• Chosun Ilbo
• Donga Ilbo
• Joongang Ilbo
• Conservatism in South Korea
• Partido da Imprensa Golpista - a similar Brazilian phenomenon

External Links

• The Press and Democracy in South Korea - A Survey of Print Journalists’ Opinions by Eun Suk SA

References

1. ^ Media war - "Supporters of the opposition claim there is an "evil" collusion between the government and major newspapers under the guise of adapting to new communications technology."
2. ^ http://www.journalist.or.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=17898
3. ^ Beautiful World Without Chosun Ilbo"
4. ^ http://www.pressian.com/scripts/section/article.asp?article_num=40080609191120&s_menu=
5. ^ Jung (정), Un-hyeong (운형) (2011-09-19). "위키리크스가 폭로한 '친미 관료·기자들' 한나라당·조중동은 왜 이 사건 침묵하나" (in Korean). OhMyNews. http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/view/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0001628262. Retrieved 2011-10-14. 
6. ^ "정연주 항소심도 ‘무죄’…조중동에겐 ‘외면하고 싶은 진실’" (in Korean). IPF국제방송. 2010-10-29. http://www.wbctimes.com/sub_read.html?uid=21158. Retrieved 2011-10-17. 
7. ^ Kwon (권), Sun-taek (순택) (2011-09-04). "법원은 ‘PD수첩’ 무죄라는데, 조중동은?" (in Korean). Medius. http://www.mediaus.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=19462. Retrieved 2011-10-17. 
8. ^ Park (박), Sang-hui (상희) (2010-12-18). ""평범하게 살려고 했는데, MB와 조중동이 안 도와주대요"" (in Korean). 민중의 소리. http://www.vop.co.kr/view.php?cid=A00000346453. Retrieved 2011-10-17. 
9. ^ http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/media/53715.html
10. ^ http://www.mediaus.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=3593
11. ^ http://www.dailyseop.com/section/article_view.aspx?at_id=95568
12. ^ Cho (조), Su-gyeong (수경) (2011-11-14). ""트위터는 괴담 진원지" 조중동 공격 이유 있었네" (in Korean). Media Today. http://www.mediatoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=98443. Retrieved 2011-11-19. 
13. ^ http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/view/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0000919784
14. ^ Chosun Ilbo Attacked as Street Violence Escalates
15. ^ South Korea: Journalist Assaulted in Demonstration
16. ^ http://www.dailyseop.com/section/article_view.aspx?at_id=82104
17. ^ http://kr.srd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A3ehDKSEUJ1J0YQAQJAIRu16/SIG=143pagstb/EXP=1235132932/**http%3A//kr.news.yahoo.com/service/news/shellview.htm%3Flinkid=12%26articleid=2009021917203224036%26newssetid=471