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South Korea is a unique country: Christian stations are licensed by the government and run their own transponders. Christian Broadcasting System has been the leading Christian station in Korea for a long time. Sung-Ho Cho, director of CBS Vision 21, talked enthusiastically about the role of CBS in the process of democratization in 1980s. He was one of the key planners of this Radio Broadcasters Seminar which was proposed at the Manila AR-WACC Assembly in the late 1980's. This time he attended as a resource person, and explained about the Korean situation in radio and other media.
 Sung-Ho Cho (CBS) |
He emphasized that the present world is in a great process of change, in various areas: information technology, development, and cultural values. The Asian development model has recently had many challenges placed on it by the IMF, Sung said. He wonders if the present IMF and other international pressures on Asia, can be seen as hidden evidence of an occupation policy by the USA. Even living in South Korea, many people have their doubts: "Democracy for whom? Deregulation for whom?" Sung also pondered the conflicting values in the present Asian political scenes in Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore. He believes that "the coexistence with nature is at the root of the Asian sense of harmony, and the community is taking this for granted." But this traditional value system, on the other hand, has now also created stiff and inflexible problems, as well, Sung said. Many people, therefore are left wondering which is the right way to go.
There are some answers as we look back in history, Sung said. He spoke highly of CBS's role in the 1970s and 1980s. In November 1980, many Korean media were forced to merge by the military government, and news and advertisement was banned. But Sung himself participated in a one-million signature campaign and was finally able to restore news and advertising in October, 1987. There were many journalists arrested during those days, but Sung said, because of our resistance to the government, we were able to establish this present democratic government. CBS was identified as 'alternative media' under the military regimes, and they emphasized socially-oriented media. Christian media acted as advocates in those days. Today, they need to regain this spirit of challenge even through the present bad financial situation, and let their voices be heard by others, said Sung.
Income from advertisements at CBS has decreased by about half since last year's Korean economic fallout. Almost all sections of CBS have faced restructuring, but other media in Korea are experiencing the same thing; about 13 percent of newspaper, TV and radio workers were laid off in Korea this year.
Sung also spoke of some general problems of Christian media. The shortage of capital and lack of professional quality are common problems which create an unstable situation. Too much dependence on churches is another problem which can sometimes lead to theological bias in the program contents. He believes that lack of professionalism is reflected in the issue of 'evangelicals vs. social concerns.' Sung stressed that Christian broadcasters now need to clearly identify themselves. That might enable them to realize what their future direction should be. 
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