Korea’s broadcasting watchdog launches study to address fake news

[Image source: Gettyimagesbank]

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) is taking steps to address fake news based on cases from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries.

According to the KCC on Thursday, the state broadcasting watchdog is looking for an organization to conduct a policy study on fake news and countermeasures focused on cases in major OECD countries.

The move comes after KCC Chairman Lee Dong-kwan emphasized the importance of combating fake news during his inauguration ceremony last month.

“We must correct the behavior of irresponsibly spreading fake news or only representing the partisan interests of a specific group,” Lee said.

The KCC launched a related task force this month and has been working with related agencies, including the Korea Communications Standards Commission, to ensure thorough review and implementation measures against fake news. The KCC is also exploring ways to introduce a “one-strike-out system.”

Additionally, in order to lay the foundation for responding to fake news in next year‘s budget, a total of 1.03 billion won ($775,798), an increase of 417 million won from the previous year, has been allocated to improve the reliability and effectiveness of fact-checking initiatives and tailored education for youth, adults, and teachers.

The KCC, in its proposal for the policy study, explained that the purpose of the study is to examine the process of fake news spreading online and countermeasures taken in OECD countries.

The results of the study will be used to support legislation in the National Assembly and for the development of government systems and policies, the KCC said.

The study period is four months, from this month to December, with a budget of 50 million won.

The KCC is also soliciting organizations to conduct policy research on improving the system for preventing the distribution of illegal and harmful information online.

Through the study, the KCC plans to analyze the current status of the enactment and revision of illegal and harmful information regulations in overseas countries such as the European Union, the U.K., and the U.S., as well as the self-regulation status of global service providers at home and abroad. The KCC will also come up with measures to protect the rights of users.