The Hanky has a piece on media bias related to the recent Lee Myung-bak real estate scandal. Specifically, it says that the conservative dailies have been trying to cover Lee’s butt by avoiding the main (and apparently only) issue:
Categorized by the directions of the reports [as reported by Citizens’ Coalition for Democratic Media], as many as seventeen stories from Chosun, fifteen from Donga and eleven from JoongAng dealt with the issue by framing the controversy as a war between the presidential hopefuls and the government over who is behind the allegations and whether or not the candidates’ right to privacy had been infringed upon due to the release of information. Neither The Hankyoreh nor Kyunhyang have reported these events.
On the contrary, regarding the reports raising new issues based on research into the allegations, The Hankyoreh printed nine articles, Kyunghyang four, Donga three, JoongAng two and Chosun one.
If you like the Hanky, give the whole article a read. It is basically the Hanky finding sources to give it a big pat on the back while dissing the big three papers.
It is all fine and dandy for the Hanky to report on the bias of the big three, which I think most folks would agree exists. However, I think that the good folks at the Hankyoreh should also take some time to (in “participatory democracy” speak) honestly reflect on whether they are performing their democratic roll of watching those in power on behalf of the people.
Is the Hanky really proud that they have not done anything to find out the source of the allegations against Lee? You would think that would be an important part of finding out the veracity of the claims as well as being an important story by itself.
But I guess the Hankyoreh is just a willing tool of government power against the opposition in this case.
8 Comments
“dealt with the issue by framing the controversy as a war between the presidential hopefuls and the government over who is behind the allegations and whether or not the candidates’ right to privacy had been infringed upon”
That’s a very selective interpretation given that the Chosun has gone after Lee and Park several times over their feuding and shady pasts…although it is legitimate to question how and why the info on Lee’s alleged real estate speculation was released.
All the papers should go after all the candidates in every party and let people know their backgrounds.
Well, this could get interesting:
http://english.yonhapnews.co.k.....00315.HTML
Here’s the Korean version for those who can read it:
http://news.naver.com/news/rea.....enu_id=100
I’m sure the Chosun Ilbo will have a field day with this. This is what they have so far:
http://news.naver.com/news/rea.....enu_id=100
Of course, if the allegations of NIS involvement turn out to be true, what the Chosun most likely won’t report is that the NIS used to do the same thing and worse when the GNP and its predecessors were in power. But like the post title suggests, it’s “choose your own biases.”
Yes, even the JoongAng reported that the NIS was snooping in the wrong places. It seems that someone in the current administration has picked up where KDJ left off. I only wonder if anyone will be held accountable for a change.
Dude, “bias” is right. Come on! Get real! The Big 3 are not likely exclusively pro Lee and against Park. Rather, they are against Roh. That’s the point. And they will do and print anything to make Roh look bad whether they print lies and misrepresentations or not. (Or exploit all the stupid things Roh says or does).
Their bias is so obviuous. Anyone who suggests otherwise is a liar or a stooge. Hanyoreh is not pro-Roh, they are anti-Big 3. That point should be recognized. H has printed lots of anti-Rog articles. They are anti-Big 3 not anti or proRoh. As soon as you get the sides cleared up, you can start reading the papers with a more accurate perspective.
I guess Marmot’s bias is anti-Hanyoreh, as he calls it “Hanky” (read tissue, in the slim chance anyone doesn’t get it) Whatever. That is yours. Me? kuel-seh^^
While it is true that I — Robert Koehler, i.e., the Marmot — find myself disagreeing with the Hankyoreh more often than not, you may wish to look at who wrote the post.
Okay the bias of both Bib and Andy….
Ooops…Not Bib, but Bob….^^