From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Journalists Strike for Editorial Input in South Korea
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1992 03:33:54 GMT

/** media.issues: 233.0 **/
** Topic: Strike in Korea - Strike in Austra **
** Written 12:41 pm  Oct  8, 1992 by hrcoord in cdp:media.issues **
From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord>
Subject: Strike in Korea - Strike in Austra

/* Written  5:47 pm  Oct  6, 1992 by ifjsafenet@gn.apc.org in igc:ifj.safenet */

October 5th 1992

Dear Colleagues,

               BROADCASTING STRIKES: KOREA AND AUSTRALIA

There are two important strikes taking place. One of the two concerns a
question of Editorial Democracy and may be of some interest to IFEXers.
1,200 broadcasting workers at Munhway Broadcasting Corporation in Seoul,
Korea are, after 34 days, locked into a confrontation of serious
proportions over working conditions and editorial independence. The strike
has focused on union demands for "editorial democracy" -- a demand to have
a say in the appointment of senior editorial executives.  The union wanted
to have its recommendations considered for the posts of three bureau
chiefs.  Management rejected the idea that the journalists could be
involved with editorial policy.

1,500 riot police stormed the MBC building on October 2 and hauled away 198
journalists and other media workers. The IFJ Regional Representative,
Seh-Yong Lee, was also arrested.  Late on Friday October 2 187 of the
striking media workers including journalists were released.  Seven union
leaders have been charged for prosecution and others are presenlty on the
run from the police. 13 out of 19 MBC- affiliated regional broadcasting
companies are holding sympathy strikes and today many of these regional
unionists joined hands with the MBC in Seoul and fought against police in
street scuffles.

Some 600 policemen are stationed at the entrance to the MBC headquarters.


The 5,000 strong Korean Broadcasting System Trade Union called an emergency
meeting and voted to stage a general strike tomorrow to protest the
storming of the MBC offices.

The Korean Federation of Press Unions, (IFJ affiliate) in an extraordinary
meeting made up of 58 Presidents from affiliated media unions denounced
police action as "total denial of press freedom and media independence" and
declared an all-out war against the MBC management and the Government.

The Union's demands are the following:

1. To reinstate the dismissed union leaders who were released because of
union activity;

2. To withdraw the company's disciplinary action against 40 leading union
members;

3. To release the seven union leaders now under arrest;

4. To resume a discussion with the union on the issues of editorial
democracy and trade union rights.

I enclose a letter of protest sent today to the President of Korea.

Roh Tae Woo, President, Republic of Korea, Chung Wa Dae, SEOUL, Korea.
Fax:  82-2 770 0238                          October 5th 1992

Dear Mr President,

                MUNHWA BROADCASTING CORPORATION STRIKE

On behalf of the IFJ and its member unions around the world we wish to
protest most strongly at the intervention by police in the strike at MBC
and the arrest of  seven leading members of the MBC union.

The IFJ believes that this provocative action will increase the bitterness
in this protracted dispute. We note that at the core of this strike is a
dispute over professional and trade union rights. We urge you to secure the
release of the arrested unionists and to request management to reinstate
dismissed union leaders, including the former union president and general
secretary, and to withdraw disciplinary action against some 40 union
members at the company.

We believe that the solution to this confrontation should be in open and
frank discussions between the two sides. We hope that you will encourage
proper and unconditional negotiations between management and union on the
issues of editorial democracy and trade union rights.

The IFJ appreciates that your Government is committed to the creation of a
lasting democratic process in Korea. However, we believe it is essential
that the Government underscores its commitment to the principle of freedom
of expression by clear and forthright defence of press freedom and social
rights.

The developments at MBC threaten to engulf the entire broadcasting industry
in Korea in a further confrontation. We urge you to take whatever steps are
necessary to bring about a peaceful and negotiated settlement to the
dispute and a return to the process of dialogue and discussion upon which
sound industrial relations is based.

With Kind Regards,

AIDAN WHITE,
General Secretary.

A second strike, which may be of less interest to IFEXers, is taking place
in Melbourne, Australia, where some 200 journalists and mediaworkers at SBS
are protesting over a management programme of dismissals.

The union, The Australian Journalists Association, a member of the Media
Entertainment and Arts Alliance, is accusing the management of
incompetence, is calling for a full public inquiry into management of SBS,
and is calling for the Australian Government to intervene to provide
further support to the public broadcasting system ending budget cuts in
recent years.

Send messages to:     SBS Radio Workers Strike
                      403 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills,
                      NSW 2010 AUSTRALIA
                      Fax: (02) 281 9725

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