Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission Drops Appeal Against Tongil TV Registration Cancellation, Restoring PP Status

The Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission (BMCC) announced that it has decided to accept the court's ruling and drop its appeal in the lawsuit concerning the cancellation of Tongil TV's registration as a Program Provider (PP).

On June 10, the Seoul High Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff in the appellate trial for the lawsuit filed by Tongil TV in April 2024, overturning the previous decision to cancel the channel's registration.

The appellate court concluded that the original administrative action was unlawful because the grounds for the cancellation did not exist.

Following the ruling, the BMCC, respecting the judiciary's decision, submitted an opinion to the Ministry of Justice recommending against an appeal. With the Minister of Justice issuing a directive to drop the appeal yesterday (July 1), Tongil TV has officially regained its status as a Program Provider.

The first-instance court had also previously ruled that the registration cancellation was unlawful, stating that it was difficult to acknowledge that the channel had influenced the regulatory authority's decision-making process through fraudulent means under common social standards, and therefore, the grounds for the action were absent.

Previously, in January 2024, during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, the Ministry of Science and ICT had revoked Tongil TV's PP registration, claiming it had been obtained through false or fraudulent means.

In a statement distributed to the press, the BMCC expressed regret, stating, "We regret that a state agency, which should guarantee the freedom and diversity of broadcasting, canceled the PP registration in an unlawful manner, thereby stifling the freedom of broadcasting and the public's right to view." The commission added, "We will do our utmost to provide administrative support so that Tongil TV can fully perform its functions as a Program Provider."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.