[KS] Today's Korean Lesson: "Wonjo-kyoje"

[Frank M. Tedesco]

>               SBS Program Sparks Accusations of
>               Yellow Journalism                            =

>               07/15(=BC=F6) 15:04
> =

>               ``Pursuit! Incident & People,'' which aired on SBS at 10:=
55
>               p.m. Monday, is sparking accusations of yellow journalism=

>               because of its expose-style coverage of a highly sensitiv=
e
>               subject _ the sexual abuse of children.
> =

>               The program topped the ratings with 27.4 percent, beating=
 all
>               other programs broadcast in the same timeslot, largely du=
e to
>               its sensational report, media analysts said.
> =

>               The weekly program's average rating has hovered around 20=

>               percent over the past few months. Yet, Monday's broadcast=

>               sent ratings soaring. It also prompted criticism of the
>               program's subject matter, obviously aimed at boosting its=

>               ratings.
> =

>               Monday's show, titled ``Reality of Children Sexually
>               Abused,'' was nominally designed to uncover the existence=
 of
>               children powerless to defend themselves against sexual ab=
use.
> =

>               Yet, critics say the program went too far by offering
>               sensationalized stories, which many viewers found too
>               shocking to accept.
> =

>               For instance, the program dealt with a case in which a
>               primary school teacher sexually abused one of her student=
s,
>               suggesting lesbian scandal at the school. Also, it report=
ed
>               that three local residents had raped an orphan girl who l=
ived
>               alone. Worse, the superintendent of a child care center, =
it
>               showed, was a habitual sexual abuser of children.
> =

>               There was a warning issued prior to the start of the prog=
ram
>               _ ``Children are advised not to watch this program,'' but=

>               that decision is being criticized as a ludicrously
>               irresponsible act considering the potential impact of the=

>               broadcast.
> =

>               Also under fire is the failure to suggest solutions to th=
e
>               problem proposed by the program. Although the narrator
>               briefly mentioned a new law aimed at preventing child abu=
se
>               and the existence of preventive educational programs, it =
is
>               thought that the broadcast failed to tackle the issues in=

>               earnest.
> =

>               In addition, the program's producers have come in for
>               criticism for making the mistakes of revealing the names =
of
>               the schools and districts in which the incidents took pla=
ce,
>               thereby doing much harm to those embroiled in task of
>               resolving the cases.
> =

>               But SBS is not alone in chasing after fleeting ratings. O=
ther
>               broadcasting stations are now eager to raise their rating=
s by
>               covering controversial subjects.
> =

>               For instance, on June 16 an MBC program exposed
>               ``wonjo-kyoje,'' a money-making scheme originating in Jap=
an
>               which some Korean high school girls have adopted to secur=
e
>               pocket money from adult men in exchange for sex. This pro=
gram
>               also generated strong public criticism of the reckless
>               ratings competition which is being waged through the
>               broadcasting of expose-style programs.
> =

>            ------------------------------------------------------------=
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>                            (C) COPYRIGHT 1998 THE HANKOOKILBO
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/14_6/9807/t4651284.htm

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