Authoritarian Media

 Instrument of Enhancement

    Living in a country where we are spoiled with the freedoms of speech and press, we are often unaware that other countries are oftentimes not as lucky. As Americans, we are protected by the first amendment and have the ability to say pretty much anything we want and get away with it. Journalists have the ability to travel and write as they please, and virtually anyone can call themselves a journalist or simply a blogger. We live our day to day lives with these freedoms and think nothing of them, but what if they were taken away? Authoritarian countries such as North Korea lack the simple freedoms that we are so accustomed to. The strict regulations on print, media, and social media affect how information is spread and received throughout these countries.

    North Korea keeps a tight leash on its media and regulates it to be published in their best interests. "The press in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is closely tied to its communist sociopolitical structures." While North Korea "recognizes freedom of the press as a Constitutional right of their citizens," many unwritten rules are in place. All of the media outlets within North Korea are owned and operated by the government; therefore, they know what is being said before being released to the public. In fact, "a large portion of their resources [is dedicated] toward political propaganda and promoting the personality of Kim Jong-un." A government that has ultimate power over its media outlets and what information is released to the public holds the power to bend reality, as what they say goes and how will the community know otherwise?

    Watchdogs are defined as investigative journalists who fact check and interview political and public figures to increase accountability. These journalists offer a glimpse into what is really going on, and they are found within North Korea. 38 North "is a website devoted to [the] informed analysis of North Korea." As the government controls the flow of information, much of what is told to the public is inaccurate and altered in the government's best interest; however, 38 North can set facts straight. "38 North covers not only North Korea's weapons of mass destruction, but digs beneath the surface of political, economic, social, and other developments." This American-based project allows insight into what is really going on within the walls of North Korea but keeps their own journalists from having to tell it and risk the consequences.

    However, while it may seem like journalists are the ones who must keep their mouths shut about local politics and who's doing what, the common people also face these restrictions. Social media is one of the worlds largest forms of communication in today's world; in fact, the meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and President, Donald Trump, was allegedly set up using Twitter. While the government has access to these sites and uses them mostly to boost their global propaganda efforts, "North Korea started blocking Twitter and other sites in April 2016 - and previously in late 2014 - to stem the spread of information." Internet access within itself is rare, and when it is found, very few sites are able to be reached. While social media is not completely cut off for the entire country, it is strictly allowed for the elite.

   Looking into the strict rules and regulations of the media within North Korea, it's hard not to wonder what they are hiding. Most locally published North Korean news relates to government and social affairs but is rarely posed in a way the would make the government look bad. They can truly do no wrong in the eyes of their local news. On October 10th, Kim Jong-Un spoke highly of his country and even shed tears for his "country's resilience in the face of many hardships." Coverage by the NK News kept things light-hearted and focused towards his passion for the country, but the watchdogs of 38 north covered things a little differently. Their coverage relayed the idea that this whole speech was simply an "I told you so" speech as he deliver what he said he would, missiles. Without any outside information, you can only see what North Korea wants you to see, their leader delivering a heartfelt speech simply for the good of the people; however, the watchdogs provided the other side of the story. This is just one example of how North Korea places themselves easily in a better light by the use of their media platforms.

    North Korea has the ability to say what they want, when they want, and decide who says it. This power of an authoritarian government can lead to misinformation spread amongst the country and journalists living in fear of speaking out. Watchdogs do their best to keep the country informed on the true bustle within the country but can only do so much. Social media restrictions tie the hands of even the common man and keep them from their own simple freedoms. As the government rules all, they can push themselves into the light, using their media as an instrument of enhancement.