Ko Min-soo: "OTT Platforms Must Also Strive to Provide Accessible Content; Looking Forward to a Barrier-Free Media Ecosystem"

Ko Min-soo, a standing commissioner of the Korea Communications Commission, emphasized that efforts to ensure media accessibility for people with disabilities should go beyond mere compliance with mandatory programming quotas, and must enable them to enjoy content at their preferred times.
In an op-ed titled "Accessible Broadcasting, A Dream for Some" published in a media outlet today (July 2), Commissioner Ko stated that the practical and broad media access for people with disabilities must be guaranteed.
His remarks highlight the need to closely examine how current policies for accessible broadcasting are failing to keep pace with or adequately respond to the rapidly changing media landscape driven by the rise of Over-the-Top (OTT) services.
"Viewer perceptions are also changing," Commissioner Ko stressed. "Sign language and subtitles have become part of daily life. Just as wheelchair ramps have become facilities for everyone, accessible broadcasting must evolve into a medium that embraces all."
Previously, the Korea Communications Commission held its 20th plenary meeting on June 29 and approved a partial amendment to the "Notification on Ensuring Accessibility to Broadcasting for Persons with Disabilities, Including Programming and Provision."
The amendment expands the scope of beneficiaries for accessible broadcasting from the existing visually and hearing-impaired individuals to all people with physical or mental disabilities, and imposes an obligation on OTT service providers to strive to provide accessible broadcasting.
It also established a new obligation to strive for increased accessible programming during prime time, specifically from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM on weekdays and 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM on weekends and holidays.
Commissioner Ko added, "We have also set minimum ratios for each channel to ensure that multi-channel broadcasters like KBS provide balanced accessible programming across all their channels."
"In this rapidly changing digital media ecosystem, we must carefully ensure that everyone can enjoy the K-content that the world is cheering for," Commissioner Ko said. "I hope that all members of our society will unite and participate to help a barrier-free media ecosystem take root."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.