Meeting with Leading Broadcast Writers to Discuss Protection of Creators Rights in the Broadcasting Industry
Minister Yu In-chon Holds Meeting with Broadcast Writers on August 5
On August 5th Yu In-chon Minister of Culture Sports and Tourism met with key figures from the broadcast writing industry at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul. Attendees included Jung Jae-hong Chairman of the Korea Broadcast Writers Association and a writer of current affairs and educational programs as well as Park Hae-young writer of the drama My Mister Lee Woo-jung writer of the Reply series Choi Dae-woong writer of the variety show Knee Drop Guru and Park Won-woo writer of King of Mask Singer. The meeting focused on discussing the protection of creators rights in the broadcasting and video content industry and listening to feedback from the field.
Fair Compensation and Contract Environment for Writers and Creators Needed
During the meeting participants voiced concerns about the protection of creators rights amid the shift to online-centric production environments for broadcasting and video content. They emphasized the need for fair compensation and highlighted the necessity of establishing a system to ensure that writers especially in new media receive their rightful dues. The attendees also pointed out the need to address the practice of writers entering into unreasonable contracts.
Minister Yu In-chon responded “It is important to take the first step towards ensuring fair compensation for creators.” He added “We are operating a ‘Video Content Compensation and Coexistence Council’ that involves all stakeholders to actively discuss and develop reasonable improvement measures.” Additionally he committed to continuing education and promotion of the standard contract for broadcast writers (established in December 2017) to be used in video content production.
Support for Format Industry Development and New Writer Discovery Projects
Park Won-woo who won the grand prize at the 2022 International Format Awards for King of Mask Singer remarked “For the domestic format industry to grow sustainably the rights of broadcast writers over broadcast formats* must be protected.”
A broadcast format refers to the methods of structuring and producing a television program including planning directing storylines presentation methods set design and performers actions.
In response the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism (MCST) stated that it is currently supporting the registration of format copyrights with international format-related organizations to protect and nurture the Korean broadcast format industry. They are also organizing events such as the ‘K-Format Showcase’ in conjunction with domestic and international broadcast video markets and producing pilot programs for formats.
The Format Recognition and Protection Association (FRAPA) is an international private organization established in 2000 to protect the legal rights related to formats.
Additionally the MCST is encouraging the creative activities of broadcast writers through planning competitions development support and consulting and mentoring programs. They are also pursuing projects to discover new writers including supporting the production of one-act plays written by new writers.
Minister Yu In-chon emphasized “This is a crucial time to establish a foundation for protecting the rights of broadcast writers in a changing media environment.” He concluded “We will continue to work hard to improve the creative environment for writers who are the core of the broadcasting and video content industry’s competitiveness.”
Website: : http://www.wip-news.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=24515
