What types of media are controlled by the state in North Korea

History · College · Tue Nov 03 2020

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In North Korea, the state exerts strict control over various forms of media to shape and manage information. The types of media that are largely controlled by the state include:


1. Television: The state-run Korean Central Television (KCTV) is the primary television broadcaster in North Korea. It serves as a propaganda tool, disseminating content aligned with the government's ideology and promoting the cult of personality around the ruling leadership.


2. Radio: The Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) operates radio services in North Korea. Similar to television, radio broadcasts are tightly controlled by the state and serve as a means of propagating official ideology and messages.


3. Newspapers: The major newspapers, such as Rodong Sinmun, are controlled by the state. These newspapers serve as mouthpieces for the government, disseminating official news, political messages, and propaganda.


4. Internet: North Korea has a highly restricted and monitored internet environment. Access to the global internet is limited for ordinary citizens, and the government tightly controls the content that is accessible. Instead, there is a domestic intranet known as Kwangmyong, which is isolated from the worldwide web.


The overarching goal of state control over media in North Korea is to shape public perception, maintain ideological conformity, and strengthen the regime's authority. Independent and critical voices are suppressed, and media serves as a powerful tool for political control and shaping the narrative in favor of the ruling leadership.