국제기자연맹(IFJ·회장 짐 보멜라)은 13일 YTN 사태와 관련해 성명을 내고 “한국 정부는 YTN 기자 징계를 즉각 철회하라”고 촉구했다.

IFJ는 이날 ‘한국 정부는 YTN 기자 징계를 철회하라’는 제하의 성명을 홈페이지(www.ifj.org)에 게재하고 “정부의 사장 교체를 반대하는 YTN 기자들을 해고시키는 등 YTN을 장악하려는 한국 정부의 최근 시도들을 강력 규탄한다”고 밝혔다.

IFJ는 “기자들은 구본홍 YTN 사장을 집무실을 90여일 가까이 점거했으며 이같은 분쟁으로 인해 6명의 기자가 해직되고 다른 기자들이 정직, 감봉되는 징계를 받았다”면서 “IFJ 짐 보멜라 회장도 지난주 서울에 머물며 ‘YTN 기자들에게 지지를 보내며 악의적인 경영진에 대해 유감을 표한다’고 말했다”고 지적했다.

이어 IFJ는 “구 사장이 즉각 해고와 정직 등의 징계를 철회해야 한다”면서 “YTN의 기자들은 언론 민주화와 언론자유를 위해 영웅적 싸움을 했다. IFJ의 세계 모든 회원사들과 연대해 YTN 노조의 의로운 싸움을 지지하겠다. 필요한 경우 실사단 파견도 고려하겠다”고 덧붙였다.

한편 한국기자협회는 조만간 언론장악저지대책위원회(위원장 김경호) 회의를 열어 IFJ의 실사단 파견 여부를 결정짓기로 했다.

다음은 IFJ 성명 전문이다.

IFJ Says Korean Government Must End Interference at Broadcaster YTN

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today strongly condemned the latest efforts by the Korean government to control YTN, a 24-hour television channel, in a move that has lead to the firing of journalist union activists protesting the changes.

For almost 90 days journalists have taken over the office of the newly appointed president of YTN, Gu Bon-hong, who they believe was installed to give the government control over the news channel. The dispute has led to the firing of 6 staff members while others have been suspended and disciplined. The president is working from an office nearby due to the deadlock in the talks between management and staff.

The IFJ is supporting its local affiliate, the Journalists' Association of Korea (JAK), in the fight for editorial independence, said IFJ President Jim Boumelha, who was in Seoul from October 6 to 9 to show his support for JAK and YTN's struggle against government pressure on the media.

"It is shocking that YTN management took such a spiteful and vindictive action against workings, including the leaders of the labour union," Boumelha said. "The IFJ calls on Gu Bon-hong to rescind immediately the suspensions and warnings and reinstate forthwith the sacked union activists. These brave members are taking up a heroic fight to defend press freedom and editorial democracy."

Boumelha led a delegation of 40 Asian journalists during his stay in Seoul in a visit to YTN to show their solidarity with journalists there. Boumelha offered to meet with Gu or to mediate the dispute and said the IFJ would consider a mission to Korea to investigate the firings of the six union workers if the JAK requests it.

"They have risked their careers by resisting political interference in the business of journalism," Boumelha said of the union activists, "and all Korean journalists, and indeed journalists worldwide, must applaud the action they have taken. We are throwing all the weight of IFJ affiliates behind them until they got reinstated and win their fight."

According to the JAK, the government of Lee Myung Bak, is trying to manipulate media to suit its political tastes by appointing executives to state-run broadcasting and some key public enterprises who are his supporters.

Although JAK and other civic groups have continuously denounced this dictatorial behaviour over media policy there have been no improvements.

Once again IFJ urges the Korean government must withdraw the disciplinary action against YTN.