MEDIA
PUBLIC BROADCASTING
History of MBC as a
Public Broadcaster
The history of Korean broadcasting industry is reflected on the history of MBC, a public broadcaster. While MBC was established as an incorporated company pursuant to the commercial law, it is an ‘incorporated public enterprise’ governed by a special law to allow the organization to perform public service. After its establishment as a private commercial broadcaster in 1961, the corporate ownership changed due to the 1980 media governance; then in 1988 the establishment of the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act and the Foundation for Broadcast Culture made MBC one of the two pillars of Korean public broadcasting.
The unique ownership structure of MBC is a distinction and a strength. Flexible organizational culture based on professionalism in addition to the constructive criticism accurately reading the spirit of the times allowed MBC to lead the wave of democratization in Korea. Our powerful presence in the Korean broadcasting industry has influenced the current and future directions of the industry itself.
The unique ownership structure of MBC is a distinction and a strength. Flexible organizational culture based on professionalism in addition to the constructive criticism accurately reading the spirit of the times allowed MBC to lead the wave of democratization in Korea. Our powerful presence in the Korean broadcasting industry has influenced the current and future directions of the industry itself.
Inspection of Government Offices
Foundation for Broadcast Culture, Korea Communications Standards Commission, MBC, KBS, EBS are the five organizations affiliated to the Korea Communications Commission, subject to inspection of government offices. As the supervisor to MBC, a public broadcaster, the Foundation for Broadcast Culture undergoes the inspection annually, and MBC gives reports to the National Assembly Standing Committee at MBC's Sang-am headquarters.
Korea's Only
Nationwide
Networking System
A public broadcasting corporation MBC is the only nationwide network public broadcaster in Korea, a network connecting the Foundation for Broadcast Culture, Seoul Head Office, and local stations. The Seoul Head Office and 16 local MBC stations compose an organic and consistent network. While the Seoul Head Office is a public broadcaster providing universal service nationwide, the 16 local MBC stations share the principles and the value of Seoul Head Office’s news gathering, news reporting, producing, and programming as the local public broadcaster kin to each community. Our local stations produce and program high-quality content reflecting on the opinions of the community and its cultural values to promote balanced community development and amplify local values.
Rebuilding the identity as public broadcaster
and restoring social credibility with change,
innovation, renovation
MBC strives to be the eyes and ears of the Korean people. Especially since 2017, it has been all about change, innovation, and renovation for us in order to fulfill our role as a public broadcaster. In 2019, the assessment of the Korean society on MBC’s influence and credibility began to show clear signs of recovery.
Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025 MORE
Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025 MORE
MBC has once again been recognized as the most trusted news media outlet in
Korea, ranking No. 1 among all domestic news media outlets for the second
consecutive year (following 2023), with 57% of survey respondents citing trust in its
news content, according to the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the
University of Oxford.
The 2025 Report highlights a gap in audience confidence between newspaper outlets, such as Chosun Ilbo, which received lower trust ratings, and broadcast media, where MBC continues to lead with strong public credibility and higher levels of audience trust.
In terms of reach, MBC ranked second in the “TV, Radio, and Print” category (38%), just behind KBS (39%). For online news, MBC secured 21% reach, placing fourth behind Naver (57%), Daum, and KBS (both 22%).
The 2025 Report highlights a gap in audience confidence between newspaper outlets, such as Chosun Ilbo, which received lower trust ratings, and broadcast media, where MBC continues to lead with strong public credibility and higher levels of audience trust.
In terms of reach, MBC ranked second in the “TV, Radio, and Print” category (38%), just behind KBS (39%). For online news, MBC secured 21% reach, placing fourth behind Naver (57%), Daum, and KBS (both 22%).
