AI is fundamentally changing the order of broadcasting and media.
News is summarized by AI, videos are edited by AI, and translations and subtitles are generated in real time. However, deepfakes and misinformation are emerging as new threats to democracy and public discourse.
AI presents both the greatest opportunity and the biggest challenge for the media industry.
Kim Jong-cheol, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, has declared 2026 as the 'Year of Broadcasting and Media Policy Reform.'
He emphasized the need to innovate outdated broadcasting regulations, establish an integrated media law, and focus on the responsible creation of an AI-driven media ecosystem as key tasks for the era of AI.
The question is clear.
Can South Korea truly leap to become a global media powerhouse through AI?
AI is rewriting the rules of broadcasting
Broadcasting is undergoing a change that comes once in a century.
AI is reducing production costs, increasing production speed, and enhancing content quality.
Chairman Kim stated that he will boldly innovate outdated and unreasonable regulations on broadcasting advertising and scheduling, and promote media industry innovation through the use of AI technology. Establishing a new media system that encompasses both OTT and broadcasting is also a core task.
In the age of AI, a broadcaster's competitiveness will depend more on how well they utilize AI than on the size of their organization.
Integrated media law will create a new order in the AI era
The boundaries between broadcasting, telecommunications, and platforms have already collapsed.
Chairman Kim announced plans to launch a Media Development Committee to discuss the integrated media law, funding structures, regulations, and promotion policies together.
He believes that media policies scattered across various ministries must be unified under a single strategy to effectively respond to the AI era.
Analog-era laws cannot govern the AI era.
New technologies require new laws and systems.
AI era public discourse is essential for protecting democracyAI has opened the door for anyone to create content.
At the same time, misinformation and deepfakes are rapidly spreading.
Chairman Kim is promoting the development of an 'AI Era K-Public Discourse' in collaboration with the National AI Strategy Committee, highlighting the importance of addressing AI misuse and enhancing public AI literacy as key policies.
He stated, "Public discourse is the core infrastructure of national competitiveness in the AI era," emphasizing that the government must respect private sector autonomy while fostering a responsible AI ecosystem.
In the AI era, trust becomes a more valuable asset than technology.
Media sovereignty is a matter of national competitiveness
Chairman Kim emphasizes the concept of 'media sovereignty.'
Guaranteeing the right of all citizens to use media freely and safely is the new policy goal for the AI era.
To achieve this, he plans to expand AI utilization education and digital dysfunction prevention education throughout the life cycle, enhancing the media capabilities of the public.
The more citizens who effectively use AI, the greater the national competitiveness.
Reduce regulations and grow the industry
In the AI era, innovation is more important than regulation for the broadcasting industry.
Chairman Kim is also pushing for the establishment of the Korea Broadcasting Media Communications Promotion Agency to improve broadcasting advertising and scheduling regulations and strengthen industry promotion functions.
He aims to create a policy framework that achieves both industrial growth and public interest, moving away from the traditional separation of regulation and promotion.
AI is not just a technology that reduces costs in the broadcasting industry; it is a technology that creates new markets.
AI presents opportunities for new broadcasters like ABC
AI is not just a technology for large broadcasters.
In fact, smaller organizations can benefit even more from AI.
With AI supporting news production, video editing, translation, subtitles, and short content creation, high productivity can be achieved with fewer personnel.
The regulatory innovations and expanded AI utilization emphasized by Chairman Kim can provide growth opportunities not only for existing broadcasters but also for new media operators.
In the AI era, speed of execution is more important than economies of scale.
The task assigned to Chairman Kim is not merely to manage broadcasting.
It is to design a new media order suitable for the AI era.
AI broadcasting innovation, integrated media law, fostering K-public discourse, and regulatory reform all aim toward one goal.
To make South Korea the world's leading AI media powerhouse.
Broadcasting no longer competes solely through airwaves.
Only a nation equipped with AI, platforms, data, and trust can lead the future of media.
: Kim Jong-cheol, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission :Kim Jong-cheol, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, is a legal scholar who has researched media law, constitutional law, and AI law. He has served as a professor at Yonsei University Law School and the Department of Artificial Intelligence. Leading the Korea Communications Commission, established in early 2026, he is promoting an integrated approach to broadcasting and telecommunications policy.
He has identified the establishment of an integrated media law, the creation of a Media Development Committee, regulatory innovation in broadcasting, expanded AI utilization, and the creation of a responsible AI ecosystem as core tasks, guiding new media policies for the AI era.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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