[Public Opinion Briefing Vol. 28, No. 3] Koreans' Perception of Media Freedom

[Public Opinion Briefing Vol. 28] "An Analysis of Global Perceptions on Media Freedom by Issue"

[Topic 1] Global Perceptions of Media Freedom

[Topic 2] Analysis of Perceptions on Three Major Issues Related to Media Freedom

[Topic 3] Koreans' Perception of Media Freedom

Topic 3. Koreans' Perception of Media Freedom

‣ High recognition of the importance of media freedom, and it is evenly distributed.

‣ Negative evaluation of the current level of media freedom in Korea, while international perception is high.

‣ High demand for the expansion of media freedom in Korea.

Koreans' perception of media freedom is at the level of developed countries. 64% of respondents answered that it is "a very important issue," and 29% answered that it is "somewhat important." Only 5.8% responded that it is "not very important," and 1% responded that it is "not important at all." However, when asked how much freedom of the press is guaranteed in Korea, only 27% answered "very much so," while a lukewarm 48% answered "somewhat so." This indicates that while Koreans agree on the importance of media freedom, they have significant relative dissatisfaction with the reality in Korea where it is not well guaranteed.

[Figure 1] Gap (%) Between Koreans' Recognition of Media Freedom's Importance and Their Evaluation of Its Current Status

‣ International perception of media freedom in Korea is positive

[Figure 2] Reporters Without Borders 2007 Press Freedom Index

It is noteworthy that, contrary to their own evaluations, the international community highly regards the level of media freedom enjoyed in South Korea. For example, according to the Press Freedom Index, which Reporters Without Borders (www.rsf.org) analyzed for 169 countries worldwide in 2007, South Korea ranked 39th, placing it third highest among the surveyed countries, following the United Kingdom (24th) and France (31st). It was also ranked higher than the United States (49th).www.rsf.org) that analyzed the press freedom index for 169 countries worldwide in 2007, South Korea ranked 39th, placing it third highest among the surveyed countries, following the United Kingdom (24th) and France (31st). It was also ranked higher than the United States (49th).

‣ Dual Interference Regulating Korean Media

Despite this, what are the reasons why Koreans view the level of media freedom in Korea negatively?

Based on the results of this survey, as well as comprehensive findings from previous public opinion polls conducted by the East Asia Institute (EAI), two main factors can be identified as restricting media freedom. According to the results of an international survey on media trust in 10 countries, conducted in 2006 by EAI in participation with an international public opinion survey consortium organized by the BBC and Reuters, Koreans perceive that the Korean media is not free from dual interference from the government and media owners.

First, Koreans believe that the Korean media is not free from government interference. The 2006 data shows that 27% strongly agreed and 42% generally agreed with the statement "The Korean government excessively interferes with the media," indicating that a total of 69% of respondents understand government interference with media outlets as a given fact. Second, Koreans also evaluated that media freedom is being undermined by interference from media owners. Regarding the statement "Journalists can freely report news without interference from media owners," only 8% strongly agreed and 22% generally agreed, meaning only 30% evaluated that they are free from owner interference. In contrast, 48% responded "somewhat disagree" and 19% "strongly disagree," totaling 67% who disagreed with the assertion that journalists are free from media owner interference.

[Figure 3] Dual Interference Restricting Media Freedom

Note 1. Source: Joint Survey by BBC/Reuters/East Asia Institute in 2006

‣ Dissatisfaction with the current state of Korean media leads to demands for expanded media freedom

- Demand for expanded media freedom is higher among the younger generation and highly educated individuals.

Ultimately, dissatisfaction with the current state of Korean media leads to demands for the expansion of media freedom. Conversely, when satisfaction with the current state of media freedom in Korea is high, public opinion for maintaining the status quo or reducing it tends to increase. In fact, compared to the proportion of people who responded negatively about the current state of media freedom in Korea, those who responded positively, stating it is "very well guaranteed," showed a decrease in the demand for expanding media freedom. Among those who responded that media freedom is "somewhat guaranteed," 73% demanded the expansion of media freedom, whereas among those who evaluated it as "very well guaranteed," this proportion dropped significantly to 26%. Among the negative respondents who assessed that media freedom is "not well guaranteed" or "not guaranteed at all," the opinion to expand media freedom reached 86-95%.

[Figure 4] Proportion (%) Demanding Expansion of Media Freedom Based on Evaluation of Media Freedom in Korea

Evaluation of Media Freedom

Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the group demanding the expansion of media freedom in Korea is predominantly found among the 20s and 30s generations and among those with high school diplomas or higher education. The disparity based on education level is particularly more significant than the generational gap. By generation, the proportion of public opinion advocating for the expansion of media freedom was relatively low among the elderly (58% for those aged 50 and above), but relatively high among those in their 20s (68%) and 30s (74%). By education level, only 47% of respondents with middle school education or less argued for the necessity of expanding media freedom, while 66-67% of respondents with high school diplomas and those with college degrees or higher demanded the expansion of media freedom.

In conclusion, despite a high consensus on the importance of media and positive international evaluations of Korean media, there are significant concerns among Koreans themselves, particularly among the younger generation and the highly educated, regarding the existing constraints faced by the Korean media. Consequently, social pressure from these segments of the population to expand media freedom, free from dual interference from the government and media owners, is expected to continue.

[Figure 5] Proportion (%) Demanding Expansion of Media Freedom by Generation and Education Level