On Oct. 6, 2004 an article about Dongguk University (DU) was published in the Korea Herald. This was the fifth time a reporter from The Dongguk Post reporter contributed school news to a major newspaper including the Korea Times. Getting DU's name in a major newspaper is a good way to promote its image. Whereas the school's press can enhance DU's image in many other ways.
  The main role for the university press is to first scrutinize what's happening inside the school and criticize what to be criticized needs. The press sometimes harshly criticizes the School Authority (SA) in order to make it improve its policies. In my opinion, the press should not only focus on campus issues but enhance its own image by contributing articles to major newspapers, including the Korea Times and the Korea Herald.
  Dongguk University Press (Dongdaeshinmun, published in Korean) and The Dogguk Post publish articles critical of the school's activities. But criticizing is a sensitive matter since they are fully funded by the President of the school.
  In the United States, the operating system of the school press is totally different from Korean universities. The number of the reporters is about five times bigger than the average number of a university press in Korea, which is around five to twelve reporters. The most interesting thing about the American press about is that they are not fully funded by their SA but they are funded by the local community. The reporters not only cover what's happening inside the school but also cover the local society; so the newspapers are read by students and local residents around the school. The American press is much more powerful and independent than Korea's.
  Dongguk University is located in Chung-gu and should have a good relationship with the ward. The school press can be a good means of improving this relationship. Chung-gu has many residents, including visiting foreigners, because it is close to Hannam-dong and is surrounded by many high class hotels such as Hotel Shilla, Hyett, and Sofitel. Even though Chung-gu has its own local newspaper, it does not have an English publication. So The Dongguk Post needs to look carefully into this environment. If The Dongguk Post holds hands with its local community, it can catch two birds with only one stone. Together, the ward and DU can publish an English newspaper that appeals to foreign residents and tourist. On the other hand, DU can keep its good relationship with Chung-gu and get fund for The Dongguk Post.
  It is important for the school press to enlarge its role. Cooperating with the Chung-gu ward can be one way to enlarge its role.

Yoon Ji-won  jiwon@dongguk.edu

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