KCSC issues advisory on broadcasting standards for Jeju Air tragedy coverage.

On December 30th KST, the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) issued an official notice to terrestrial, general programming, and cable broadcasters, urging compliance with regulations while covering the recent Jeju Air tragedy.

In a statement released on December 31st, KCSC expressed concern over potential violations of the Broadcasting Review Regulations regarding disaster reporting. The advisory emphasized broadcasters’ responsibilities to adhere strictly to these regulations to avoid missteps.

The current Broadcasting Review Regulations (Section 3-2: Broadcasting on Disasters) outline requirements to ensure accurate information dissemination and protection of victims’ and families’ rights during disaster coverage. Key violations include:

1. Misrepresentation of Facts: Presenting unclear or unconfirmed details about casualty statistics, missing persons, rescue efforts, or the cause of the disaster as factual, potentially misleading viewers.

2. Sensationalism: Overemphasizing scenes of disaster, recovery efforts, or victims using graphic visuals, sounds, or language.

3. Harmful Content: Broadcasting content that disrupts victims’ or viewers’ emotional stability or induces fear, shame, or distress.

4. Unauthorized Recording: Filming victims or their surroundings without prior consent or failing to reflect victims’ perspectives in the broadcast.

5. Privacy Breach: Disclosing victims’ personal information, risking a violation of their privacy.

KCSC called for broadcasters to act responsibly, especially during national tragedies, ensuring their role as a public service entity. The commission emphasized its commitment to swift reviews of any violations related to the Jeju Air tragedy coverage and promised to minimize the risk of secondary harm to victims and their families due to sensational or inaccurate reporting.

KCSC reiterated, “The broadcasting community must take all precautions to adhere to the standards and fulfill their public duty in times of national disasters.”

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