South Korea Plans Unified Media Law to Narrow Regulatory Gap Between Broadcasters and Streaming Platforms
Image to help understand the article
Government seeks to modernize media regulation
South Korea plans to introduce a unified media law to address regulatory differences between traditional television broadcasters and digital platforms such as over-the-top (OTT) streaming services and YouTube, Kim Jong-cheol, chairman of the Korea Media and Communications Commission, said Oct. 26.
Appearing on SBS's news program hosted by Joo Young-jin, Kim said the government was seeking ways to ease rules that place disproportionate burdens on terrestrial broadcasters as audiences and advertising revenue shift toward digital platforms. He argued that regulations designed for an earlier broadcasting environment have not kept pace with changes in the media industry.
The proposed legislation would bring traditional and newer media under a more integrated regulatory framework. The government aims to prepare a bill by the end of 2026 after discussions with a proposed public-private Media Development Committee under the prime minister's office. Authorities are coordinating with the Office for Government Policy Coordination on the committee's establishment.
Advertising rules and smoking scenes under review
Kim identified the requirement to blur smoking scenes on terrestrial television as one rule that should be reconsidered. While smoking can appear without the same treatment on streaming platforms, broadcast television remains subject to stricter requirements, he said, despite audiences consuming both types of content on televisions and mobile devices.
The commission also plans to support amendments to the Broadcasting Act that would move advertising regulation toward a negative-list system, under which practices would generally be permitted unless specifically prohibited. The current system largely restricts broadcasters to explicitly authorized advertising methods.
Revised enforcement rules that took effect Oct. 16 eased some advertising restrictions, including limits on the frequency of commercial breaks. The changes also expanded the daily advertising allowance to as much as 20% of a channel's total daily broadcast time and relaxed standards governing midprogram advertisements. Kim described the measures as changes made within the existing legal framework.
He said regulatory reform was a broad policy goal but cautioned that protecting viewers' rights must remain a priority. Discussions on reducing regulatory differences affecting paid-TV operators are also expected to continue through the end of the year.
Proposed law aims to protect access to major sporting events
Kim also discussed legislation intended to preserve the public's ability to watch major sporting events, including the Olympics and FIFA World Cup, without additional financial burdens. The bill has passed South Korea's National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee and is being prepared for consideration by the full assembly.
The proposal would encourage broadcasters to negotiate jointly for event rights and establish a legal basis for the government to recommend, consult on and coordinate rights arrangements in advance. Kim said joint negotiations could help curb excessive competition that drives up broadcasting-rights costs.
The legislation follows criticism that public access to some major sporting events had narrowed after South Korean broadcaster JTBC secured Olympic and World Cup rights for 2026-2032 and carried some events exclusively. The proposal would require private broadcasters that obtain rights from the International Olympic Committee or FIFA to resell them to public broadcasters KBS and MBC.
President Lee Jae Myung called for stronger protections for universal access to major sporting events on Feb. 24. The bill passed a parliamentary subcommittee on April 29 and the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on May 7.
South Korea considers safeguards for young social media users
Kim said protecting teenagers from potential harms associated with social media had been a priority since he took office. At a recent ministerial meeting involving Group of Seven countries, officials shared research data and discussed stronger international cooperation.
Kim said concerns included effects on learning and cognitive development, as well as platform features that encourage excessive use. He added, however, that imposing restrictions solely on the basis of age could also work against young people's interests. Algorithmic bias and excessive media consumption, he said, affect adults as well as teenagers.
The commission, which Kim joined as chairman on Dec. 19, 2025, also outlined four policy visions marking its first year. Kim said its broader goal was to ensure that people can participate in modern social, economic and cultural life through reliable access to media, with particular attention to digitally vulnerable groups.
Comments
Post a Comment