Voice of the People (website)
Voice of the People (Korean: 민중의소리, abbreviated VOP) is a South Korean online newspaper launched on May 15, 2000. It was established to represent a progressive viewpoint in the Korean news market dominated by conservative media. In spite of its short history, it has steadily increased its readership especially through its success on social network services.
History
VOP started as an alternative news outlet covering events and issues on social movements, labor unions, minorities, etc., mostly ignored by mainstream news media. It has gradually expanded its coverage to more general and broader topics becoming a prominent internet newspaper in the market.
In 2008, VOP became the first and only internet newspaper to be granted access by the South Korean police. Around this time, the National Assembly, the South Korean parliament, and government ministries also opened their pressrooms to VOP.
From 2006 to 2009, VOP edited the monthly Mal, a liberal political monthly in South Korea established under the military dictatorship in 1985.
Having to play catch up with the frontrunners among internet newspapers and with its particularly left-leaning viewpoint even among progressive media, VOP struggled to survive in the South Korean internet news distribution market dominated by powerful portals. However, much due to the successful distribution via global social network services, VOP has made market growth. According to a 2014 report issued by the conservative South Korean ruling party think tank, Saenuri Party's Yoido Institute, VOP was the fourth most often quoted news source in Facebook in the nation.
Political views
VOP has represented progressive viewpoints. It focuses on covering various social and labor issues. And example includes the in-depth report of the months-long strike and sit-down of Ssangyong Moters workers in 2009 for which it was awarded the grand prize of the Democratic Press Award and Democratic Citizen Press Award respectively.
Awards
- 2002 The 14th Democratic Press Award, Grand Prize (Reporting Team)
- 2003 The 1st Human Rights in the Media Award (Editing Bureau)
- 2005 The 7th Democratic Citizen Press Award (Reporter Kim Cheol-soo)
- 2006 The 2nd Internet Reporter Award (Reporter Kim Do-gyun et al.)
- 2008 The June 15 North-South Joint Declaration Southern Headquarters Achievement Award (CEO Yoon Won-seok)
- 2009 The 11th Democratic Citizen Press Award (Reporters Hong Min-cheol and Chang Myeong-gu)
- 2009 Jeon-ju International Film Festival, Bronze Award (Audio-Video Department Chief Suh Sae-jin)
- 2013 Seoul Independent Film Festival, Outstanding Picture Award (Reporter Goo Ja-hwan)