언론윤리와 이해충돌(conflict of interest) - 개념 분석과 국내･외 윤리강령 검토를 중심으로 -

Abstract

This study aims to examine the concept of conflict of interest in the context of journalism ethics by determining how conflicts of interest are conceptualized in national and international academic discussions and what the key elements of the concept are and analyzing the conflict of interest provisions in national and international journalism codes. The main findings of this study are as follows. First, the essence of conflicts of interest lies in the relationship and trust between the public and the media, which should be understood during actual conflicts or situations appearing as conflicts of interest. Second, ways to avoid conflicts of interest are either limiting or prohibiting certain actions or reporting or disclosing certain matters. Third, media outles, aside from individual journalists are subject to conflicts of interest. In addition, Korean code of journalism ethics states the associations of journalists may be subject to conflicts of interests. Fourth and last, private interests that interfere with journalists'’ ability to investigate and report from the public interest perspective and fulfill their journalistic duties can be broadly divided into economic and sociopolitical interests. In this study, national and international codes of journalistic ethics were compared by classifying the types of conflicts of interest of journalists into four categories and found that most of the conflict of interest regulations in national codes of journalistic ethics are detailed regulations related to the economic interests of individual journalists and situations where conflicts of interest arise because of the economic interests of media organizations. Considering that the current laws on journalists’ conflicts of interest—the “Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act” and the “Improper Solicitation and Graft Act”—also restrict or prohibit a range of behaviors arising from a journalist’s economic interests, it can be seen that both Korean code of journalism ethics and Korean laws focus on issues arising from the pursuit of economic interests and specify conflicts of interest, a gap that needs to be addressed given the constant criticism of the partisanship of the Korean media. In addition, consideration should be given to adding detailed regulations on the types of conflicts of interest arising from political and social interests to the Korean media ethics regulations. Thus, the concept of conflict of interest in journalism should be understood in a professional or public service context that focuses on relationships and trust. Efforts should be made to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest in various situational contexts.