A bipartisan consultation group set up to discuss disputed revisions to the Press Arbitration Act held its first meeting on Wednesday. It agreed to gather opinions from various perspectives in two to three public hearings.
The eight-member group, including members of the ruling Democratic Party and main opposition People Power Party, agreed to listen to the views of the court, the Press Arbitration Commission, media organizations and also victims of false reports or fake news.
Discussions will be limited to the amendment of the media law.
But differences emerged over the direction of discussions and the format of meetings.
Ruling DP’s deputy floor leader Han Byung-do also underlined the significance of the consultative body, noting it is the first in the country’s constitutional history to have rival parties agree to an extra round of discussions on a bill referred to a plenary session.
PPP’s deputy floor leader Choo Kyung-ho called for sincere talks so as to prevent criticism that the parties are merely putting on a show to delay handling the bill to avoid public scrutiny.
On whether the meetings should be made public, PPP Rep. Choi Hyung-du said they should be disclosed, while DP lawmaker Kim Jong-min insisted on closed-door sessions, saying it will be difficult to reach an agreement in an open setting.
Source: KBS World Radio