The article discusses the recent enactment of the Broadcasting Media Communication Review Act in South Korea, which replaced the previous law governing the broadcasting commission in February 2008. Despite its intention to create an independent reviewing body, the law mandates that the head of this body undergoes a parliamentary confirmation process similar to that of government officials. This requirement has raised alarms that it could politicize the commission and undermine its autonomy, with critics arguing that it will lead to increased political scrutiny and interference.

The situation has been exacerbated by delays in appointing the review committee, which has hindered the processing of hundreds of thousands of review applications in the past months. Recent local elections highlighted the urgency of having a functioning review body, yet the committee was established only after missing the deadlines. Furthermore, the article highlights the problematic precedent established under the previous government, where attempts to regulate fake news and the media were characterized by legal overreach and politically motivated censorship — concerns that remain prevalent under the current administration.

The author argues against perpetuating a history where the review commission acts as a tool for censorship and control over the media, emphasizing that to preserve the integrity of communications governance, it is vital to protect the commission from political coercion. As the dialogue surrounding media freedom and regulatory independence continues, stakeholders are calling for reforms that genuinely guarantee the autonomy of the broadcasting review commission, free from the influence of political agendas.