• Korean journal of communication and information
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• v.18
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• pp.305-331
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• 2002

This study discusses on the historical origin of audience movement in Korea. Most relevant studies suggest that the audience movement in Korea originated from the struggle against the Press Ethics Committee in 1964. But, this paper attempts to trace some historical cases before that time. This study analyze two historical cases in the beginning period of modern newspaper in Korea. One is the setting fire of Bakmunguk(office building of Hansung-Sunbo, the first modern newspaper in Korea) in 1884. It was caused by the anti-Japan recognition of the public, who thought that the Hansung-Sunbo was influenced by Japan in many respects. The other is the donation campaign by readers to aid the newspapers which were in a financial predicament. It was carried for the Hwangsung-Shinmun in 1903 and for the Jeguk-Shinmun in 1907. This study suggests that we may regard these two historical cases as seminal forms of audience movement, and argues that the historical origin of audience movement in Korea can be traced to the beginning period of modern newspaper.