The media is often considered the fourth pillar of democracy, and a free and independent press has an important role in fighting media corruption.

The media can help mobilize the public against corruption and build up pressure for reforms. They can raise standards of public accountability and contribute to the public good by monitoring the actions of the officials who were granted public trust, and exposing corruption cases.

However, the media is often hindered in fulfilling its role as a watchdog by obstacles such as restrictions on freedom of press, and limitations in media literacy led by the government and political heavyweights. That is to say, such forces control the media reports aired by public broadcasting companies to their advantage without letting the public know the truth.

For instance, in July 2016, the former Cheong Wa Dae senior secretary for public relations, Lee Jung-Hyun, was found to have personally contacted the KBS newsroom in charge of the news reports by the public broadcasting company, and pressured them to dilute critical reports on the administration after the tragic sinking of the Sewol Ferry in 2014.

This specific piece of evidence shows that the ownership structure of the media is likely to have an effect on the potential for undue influence on media reporting by either the government or private interests.

Nevertheless, it seems that journalists, as well as media owners, do not consider media ethics to be something that should be kept no matter what. This is because most journalists think that they might lose their job if they follow the ethical standards and resist editorial pressure by their superior to report.

In favor of certain individuals or political interests. Lack of awareness of media ethics combined with low salaries and fear of losing employment create a pleasant environment for corruption.

Fighting corruption in the media can involve a wide range of approaches, varying from raising awareness of ethical standards, strengthening the independence and transparency of the media through adequate media policies, promoting media accountability through increased oversight and controls, and supporting investigative journalism through technical training.

However, this is hardly a radical agenda. Much of simple restatement of good govemance principles.

Nonetheless, these values have got lost in the whirlwind of change that has overtaken the industry in recent decades, and if journalists and media owners get their act together and go for these values to protect editorial independence, minimize media corruption, and gain public trust, it may be possible to turn the tide before long.

By Hae-Eun Lee
(DG reporter)