In-Class Essay: The Press Freedom Day

Today, December 3, is Consumer Rights Day. It was enacted in 1997 in order to raise the awareness of consumer rights. Events and competitions related to consumer rights are opened to advertise and commemorate this day. Although it is not exactly a national holiday, it is still meaningful to make such days. In fact, national holidays are symbolically important because they help us remember the historical event that happened in that day or encourage us to do certain activities, like visiting parents and spending time with them. In a similar context, I think Press Freedom Day should be made.

 Press is an important component of our history and today’s society. Press was first made by the Joseon government to educate its people. Newspapers introduced domestic issues along with international issues. By the news, people became more aware of the outside world and learned foreign policy, culture, and history. Press then played a crucial role during the Japanese colonial period. The Independence Association published a newspaper, Tongnip Sinmun (The Independent). The Independent criticized the government officials’ corruptions and argued for the citizens’ rights and duty. Moreover, it announced the current international relations and Joseon’s global position. The Hwangseong Sinmun is famous for an editorial by Jang Jiyeon entitled, “I Wail Bitterly Today”, which lamented the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905. The Daehan Maeil Sinbo, published in 1904, criticized Japan’s unjust deprivation of sovereignty and incompetent, pro-Japanese government officials. The press was the only one that voiced out its opinion and fiercely pointed out the immorality of Japan and the government officials.

 

Inaugural Edition of the Hwangseong Sinmun

 

 After the Independence, press continued to reveal the government’s immoral actions to the public. Even today, political scandals are spilling out as the press starts a first page with a picture of a politician who is accused of bribery. Last year, press reported the former president Park Geun-hye’s relationship with her aide, Choi Soon-sil, who sought to receive money from business conglomerates like Samsung, Hyundai, SK Group, and Lotte. The news brought citizens to fury and wrath, leading them to march and protest in front of Gwanghwamun for her impeachment. And finally, Park Geun-hye was impeached. Indeed, press is powerful because it inflames the readers to do certain actions. Furthermore, it has guaranteed the citizens’ right to know by reporting news that some attempted to conceal. It has contributed to the independence and democracy of South Korea. Every day, it unravels a new event.

 If the press didn’t exist, our lives would be very different. If the government completely controlled the press, our right to know would have been infringed and we would have never known its corruptions. We should commemorate the Press Freedom Day on October 31, the day when the Korea’s first Korean-language newspaper, the Hanseong Sunbo, was published.

 Making the day is not enough. Advertising this new holiday is necessary. In the first page, where the top news is written, information about the Press Freedom Day can be included. They can list important achievements of the press since 1883, when the Hanseong Sunbo was published. Related events and competitions should be opened to remember this day. Actually, Press Freedom Day is already celebrated globally. It is called the World Press Freedom Day, on May 3. People recognize the function of the press and celebrate its independence from the government. They also pay tribute to the people who sacrificed in the exercise of their professions. The world acknowledges the importance of the press and its efforts.

 

 

WE ARE THE MEDIA: World Press Freedom Day

 

 Korea is not an exception. In fact, it is a country that received tremendous help from media. The press made a healthier nation by criticizing immorality. I believe Korea should join in to make the Press Freedom Day to remember the accomplishments of the press and recognize its importance.