FEBC Receives Formal Sanction for Special Broadcast Defending Its Chairman in Im Seong-geun Lobbying Case

Far East Broadcasting Company Korea received a formal warning after airing a special broadcast defending Chairman Kim Jang-hwan when a special counsel investigating the Marine death case searched the broadcaster's offices.

The Broadcasting Media and Communications Review Commission ruled at a plenary meeting on the 7th that FEBC violated provisions requiring fairness and objectivity. The two three-minute broadcasts, aired on August 28 and 29 last year under the title “FEBC Official Position,” featured Kim personally addressing allegations that he had been involved in lobbying to help former Marine Corps commander Im Seong-geun.

“

The special counsel proceeded with the search despite the fact that Far East Broadcasting Company had no connection or involvement whatsoever in this case.

Kim said FEBC had no connection to the case and accused the special counsel of conducting an excessive search. “The special counsel proceeded with the search despite the fact that Far East Broadcasting Company had no connection or involvement whatsoever in this case,” he said. “I want to make it clear that no evidence or allegations emerged at all during the process.”

“

I want to make it clear that no evidence or allegations emerged at all during the process.

The commission said FEBC had presented only the chairman's side in a matter in which he was a direct interested party. It said the broadcaster's public status and use of the airwaves meant the program could be criticized as a private use of a public platform. Even if FEBC believed the search was unfair and needed to respond urgently, the commission said, scheduling a special broadcast for self-defense ignored broadcasting's public obligations and clearly violated review rules.

The relevant rule bars broadcasters and their staff from misleading viewers or listeners by conveying only one side when the broadcaster is directly involved in an issue. Three commission members expressed a minority view, saying FEBC had the right to state its position and exercise a right of reply. They also noted that a year had passed without a definitive conclusion about Kim's alleged wrongdoing and that the program was presented as an official position rather than news. The sanction becomes final through the Broadcasting Media and Communications Commission and can count against FEBC in future license renewal or reauthorization reviews.

“

Presenting only the personal claims of the chairman, who was a direct interested party, inevitably invites criticism that the broadcaster's public status and airwaves were used privately.