The Korean government has dropped plans to allow commercial breaks
during TV programmes following a strong public outcry.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism originally planned to include it as
part of the integrated broadcasting bill, which among other things
permits greater foreign ownership of local television operators.
However, it dropped the plan altogether after a study by Hangil Research
found a groundswell of public opposition.
The survey revealed that 63 per cent of respondents were opposed to the
idea of seeing ads placed within programmes.
About 50 per cent said they would change the channel once the
commercials come on and go back to their favourite show after the ads
had run their course and finished.
The study also found that over 80 per cent were unhappy with the growing
number of commercials that they currently had to watch between
programmes.
So deep-rooted was the opposition that seven citizens' organisations
banded together to voice their discontent at a press conference. They
also claimed that television was becoming too commercialised, which was
hurting their right to enjoy programmes free from interruptions.
The YMCA added fuel to the fire by announcing a boycott of products and
services shown in commercial breaks.
The government backed down and dropped the plan. However, sports,
cultural and arts programming are allowed to have commercial breaks.
