Korea drops plans for TVC breaks during programmes

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