Song Ki-heon, chairman of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, pointed out that the Integrated Media Act currently being pursued by parliament and the government does not include funding support measures for public media roles.

During a parliamentary audit of the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission conducted by the committee on October 12, Chairman Song stated, "From 2021 to 2025, terrestrial advertising revenue dropped by 43 percent from 1.1697 trillion won to 665.8 billion won, and local cable revenue also fell by 214.4 billion won over five years." He continued, "The reason I bring up terrestrial and local cable broadcasters is that they fulfill vital roles such as disaster broadcasting, serving as key national networks, and shaping public opinion."

Song added, "The revenue structures of terrestrial and local cable broadcasters, which serve public functions, are deteriorating significantly, while IPTV revenue increased by 445.6 billion won over the same period. The commission must contemplate how it will provide support for broadcasters responsible for the public domain."

Kim Jong-cheol, chairman of the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission, responded, "We are preparing the Integrated Media Act, and I believe a fundamental legislative overhaul must take place once it is finalized so that these issues can be resolved."

Song, however, urged, "Provisions related to funding do not appear to be clearly laid out in the bill. It also seems that various deregulation measures actually requested by the industry are not included. Please devise comprehensive policies that take into account their roles in serving the public domain."

Earlier in June, former committee chair Choi Minhee introduced the Audiovisual Media Services Act, proposing that video service providers be integrated and managed under the unified category of 'audiovisual media services,' noting that existing legislation fails to properly encompass new media.

The Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission is currently conducting research on the integrated media legal framework and plans to continue discussions on the Integrated Media Act once the government-level 'Media Development Committee' is launched.

(Photo: Yonhap News)