or imprisonment, even for the smallest typing errors.[2][8] Only news that favours the regime is permitted, whilst news that covers the economic and political problems in the country, or criticisms of the regime from abroad is not allowed.[10] Domestic media and the population itself are not allowed to carry or read stories by foreign media and can be punished for doing so.[8]
Restrictions are also placed on the foreign journalists that are allowed into the country under supervision, though many are not permitted to enter.[8] All the information gathered by newspapers and magazines is disseminated by the main news agency, KCNA. No private press exists.[10] The media effectively paints the country in a positive light, describing itself "paradise on earth".[11] With this, it encourages the population to adopt the "socialist lifestyle" — on one occasion an intensive media campaign was launched against men with long hair, claiming it reduces intelligence.[12]
Cult of personality [edit]
The media have consistently upheld the personality cult of the Kim family since the country's formation. It frequently reported on the activities of late leader Kim Jong-Il, regularly reporting on his daily activities, frequently including "prayers" to founding leader Kim Il-Sung. Previously, media would refer to Kim Jong-Il as the "Dear Leader", though this was dropped in 2004.[13] However, in January 1981, during the first few months of Kim Jong-Il's entry into politics, a survey revealed economic concerns in the media, rather than upholding the cult—60% to 70% of media coverage was focused on the economy in January that year, and between January and September, 54% of editorials in the Nodung Sinmun also referred to economic problems, with only 20% on politics, 10% on reunification and 4% on foreign affairs.[14] All indications are that this has continued under the country's third and current leader, Kim Jong-un; soon after his father's death he was acclaimed as the "Great Successor."[15]
Approximately 90% of airtime on international news broadcasts in North Korea is propaganda spent describing the publication of works by Kim Jong-il and showing various study groups in foreign countries, in an effort to allegedly mislead the North Korean public as to the outside world's perceptions of the country.[16] When Kim Jong-il visited Russia in August 2001, official DPRK media reported Russians as being "awestruck" by the encounter, revering Kim Jong-il's ability to "stop the rain and make the sun come out".[17]
Domestic and international coverage [edit]
The media is used to promote contrasting domestic and international agendas. Kim Il-Sung was said to recognise its power to influence North Koreans and confuse the outside world.[17] Often, news is released to the international community and withheld from the domestic North Korean population, and other news is released domestically but not internationally.[18] The media closely follows any foreign country's (particularly South Korea, Israel, Japan and the United States) relevant policies towards the country; any actions deemed unfavourable to the DPRK, its leaders or political system are strongly condemned in the official media.[19]
Though some international news coverage is given in DPRK media, much is ignored,[20] is mentioned very briefly,[21] or is announced several days after the event, as was the case with the Ryongchon disaster in 2004.[22][23] Reports are also notoriously secretive. The media remained silent on domestic issues, by not reporting on economic reforms introduced by the government such as increasing wages and food prices,[24] rarely mentioning Kim Jong-il until his first party position in 1980[25] and the launching of missiles.[26] Restrictions on the dissemination of information do not only apply to the civilian population, but to North Korean officials