Railroad company DP successfully pushes through broadcasting legislation, following the abolishment of the PPP filibuster
In a significant move, the National Assembly in western Seoul passed an amendment to the Broadcasting Act on August 5, 2025. The amendment, which aims to reform the governance of public broadcasters KBS, MBC, and EBS, has sparked debate over media independence and democratic norms.
The key aspects of the amendment include:
- Expansion of Boards of Directors: The boards at KBS will be increased from 11 to 15 members, aiming to reshape the governance structure of public broadcast media.
- Overhaul of Appointment Process: The appointment procedures for top leadership positions such as presidents and news directors at public broadcasters are revamped. A new system requires broadcasters to establish president-selection committees in agreement with their labor unions, which may increase union influence in management.
- Appointment Consent System: More than half of the reporting staff must approve any appointed director of news, thereby enhancing internal broadcaster staff approval rights.
- Programming Committee Restructuring: A mandatory ten-member programming committee must include equal numbers of labor and management representatives. Violations of these rules can result in imprisonment of up to one year.
- Extension to Private Broadcasters: The amendment also affects private broadcasters like YTN and Yonhap News TV, mandating that their operators and news chiefs step down within three months.
The ruling Democratic Party (DP) pushed through these changes despite a 24-hour filibuster by the opposition People Power Party (PPP), which protested that the legislation would increase government-aligned or progressive influence over public broadcasters and threaten media independence and democracy.
The amendments are part of a broader legislative package that includes revisions to the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act intended to reshape broadcasting governance.
Opponents argue that the bill aims to enable the Lee Jae Myung administration to control media appointments, with the PPP viewing it as a threat to democratic norms. The bill passed overwhelmingly with 178 votes in favor and 2 against, while PPP lawmakers exited the chamber in protest.
On the same day, Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae and floor leader Kim Byung-kee met at the National Assembly in western Seoul. The meeting's details were not disclosed.
The translated article, originally from the JoongAng Ilbo, was edited by our website staff. The article offers three audio options (audio_0, audio_1, audio_2), with audio_2 selected. The article also includes a modal window feature and has the captions setting available, although the captions descriptions are not turned on.
- The amendments to the Broadcasting Act, passed by the National Assembly, have reignited a discussion within the industry, business, and politics sectors, focusing on the influence they may have on media independence and democratic norms.
- The bill, which introduces reforms to the governance of public broadcasters, has gained attention not just within the general-news sphere but also in policy-and-legislation circles, due to concerns about the potential for increased government influence over media appointments.
- The passage of the amendment has sparked public debate not only about the implications for media independence but also about its broader impact on the overall health of the national democratic process, with critics viewing it as a potential threat to democratic norms.
