1920년대 조선의 언론출판관계법 개정 논의와 조선출판물령

Abstract

This study is to brief the debate upon the press law held in Joseon in the 1920s. The four laws relevant the press, enacted during the time when the Korean Empire and the Japanese Residency-General were setting up in opposition, were applied differently according to races, and as a result the necessity of amendment was raised not only in the censorship authorities but in both peoples.

The press of Joseon called for the abolition of pre-censorship and the license system, hoping for the application of the same laws to both peoples. Japanese in Joseon demanded to receive the same treatment as mainlanders received. Also, they neglected the liberty of speech for Joseon people but regarded the pre-censorship on their speech as just under the cloak of administrative safety. Even the censorship authorities ever realized the necessity of amendment. The Japanese government-general aimed at abolishing discriminative application and maximizing the convenience of supervision.

In line with the aim, the Japanese government-general planned out Joseon Publication Decree to which four laws were unified. It planned to abolish pre-censorship and to collect public opinion. On the other hand, it held fast to the license system for newspaper companies, and it provided the censorship regulations in more detail and sharpened punishment. To be specific, the discrimination against Joseon people was abolished, but the control of Joseon speech was more tightened. The amendment had the possibility to engender a lot of controversy. But since Joseon Publication Decree could not go through the Assembly, they could not help waiting for the newspaper act to be amended or abolished until independence.