Although the Korean broadcast industry has returned to a semblance of normalcy following the end of the unpredecented 6-month-long MBC strike earlier this summer, tensions are flaring up once again following the dismissal of the entire scriptwriting crew of 'PD Notebook', one of South Korea's investigative journalism programs (akin to '60 Minutes' in America).
The protest, organized by the Korean TV & Radio Writers Association, began at 11:00 AM on August 6th in front of MBC's main office in Yeouido.
For the first time in the KTRWA's 40-year history, scriptwriters from all sections of broadcasting - society, drama, variety, radio, and translation - came out en masse to protest the unjust firing of the 'PD Notebook' staff.
Although the KTRWA formally requested a meeting with MBC President Kim Jae Chul, the request was met with no response and the organization headed into the protest with the goal of returing the 'PD Notebook' scriptwriters to their positions.
Following the protest, the KTRWA is scheduled to present a list of signatures and demands to the President's office.
The former producer of 'PD Notebook', Jung Jae Hong, characterized the mass firing as a means of getting revenge. "Other writers asked me one day why they had received a recruitment letter as a 'PD Notebook' staff member. That was how I figured out the truth," he said. "When I asked why they were doing such a thing, the office gave the reason. A broadcast writer should be neutral, and the writers disobeyed this rule by siding with the unions."
"It is true that neutrality and reason is demanded from a life and culture writer. But this only applies to the production of the program itself. Whether or not to support the union or the station is a question of conscience and freedom of speech."
Source: Newsen via Nate (1) (2)
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