Major Portal Entertainment News Comments Abolished... Defamation Continues on Other Platforms
"No Fun Without Reading Entertainment Comments"
"Deleting Even the Positive Functions of Comments Is Not Right"
Expert: "We Must Distinguish Between Criticism and Defamation"
[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Yeonju Kim] "It's no fun since the comments were removed.", "Without the comment feature, it's frustrating because I can't even curse."
As the three major portals (Daum, Naver, Nate) have successively closed the comment sections on entertainment articles, there has been a noticeable decrease in malicious comments (malpl). However, opinions demanding the reopening of comment sections are continuously emerging. It has even been found that some netizens criticize celebrities by switching platforms.
Naver announced on its official blog on the 21st that the number of malicious comments written and exposed last month significantly decreased compared to January of this year.
According to Naver, during this period, the number of deletions due to violations of news regulations decreased by 63.3%, and as a result of reduced exposure to malicious comments, the number of "dislike" clicks decreased by 21.5%, reports by users decreased by 53.6%, and the number of comments decreased by 0.7%.
Through its blog, Naver stated, "There were concerns that revealing comment histories and implementing identity verification would shrink the comment space, but on the contrary, it has been confirmed that more users participate and leave more thoughtful and diverse voices."
Some have expressed frustration over the removal of comments, saying that the fun of reading articles and seeing comment reactions has disappeared. They also pointed out that even in cases where celebrities should be criticized, the positive function of comments has been lost because criticism is no longer possible.
In May, a post appeared on an online community stating, "Celebrities used to check public opinion by reading comments, but now it has become difficult to objectively understand how they are being evaluated."
The author argued, "Recently, the 'Angry' reaction feature on entertainment articles was also removed, which seems excessive. Even healthy criticism that is not blame is now impossible. Reopening the comment section is the right thing to do."
Another community post said, "It's disappointing that there are no comments," and added, "While it may be to protect celebrities, malicious comments are not just a problem with entertainment news."
The author of that post said, "I used to enjoy reading entertainment articles because of the comments, but that fun has largely disappeared," and added, "They could just implement their own review regulations, but completely removing comments shows no consideration for netizens who enjoy reading them."
After the comment sections were closed, it was found that malicious posts were being made using other platforms.
On online communities such as mom cafes, users shared links to entertainment articles along with comments like "I want to curse but can't comment, so I write here," "If you don't want to hear harsh words, you shouldn't be a celebrity," and "If you only want to hear what you like and try to be a celebrity, isn't that why criminals are rampant?" continuing their criticism.
Some even visited celebrities' social networking services (SNS) to leave malicious comments or send messages, continuing their hostile remarks.
Taeyeon, a member of the girl group Girls' Generation, has repeatedly revealed messages on her SNS expressing her pain caused by malicious comments. The messages Taeyeon disclosed included insults toward her family and mockery related to mental health and drugs.
In May, Taeyeon posted on her Instagram story a question asking, "Are you bipolar? Tsk tsk," and pleaded, "I am struggling with depression. I am trying to get better. Please don't look at me that way."
Hong Sun-young, sister of singer Hong Jin-young, posted on her Instagram on the 6th a direct message (DM) sent by a malicious commenter along with the caption, "I was a little hurt after a long time."
The message Hong Sun-young revealed included, "Ms. Hong Sun-young, please read this message. Can you please stop appearing on broadcasts? It's not that I don't watch because I don't want to, but even if I don't want to, you appear on broadcasts and in internet articles," and "You've gone beyond being disliked. I really hate it."
Experts emphasized that constructive criticism is necessary depending on the situation, but it must be clearly distinguished from blame.
Professor Dong-gwi Lee of Yonsei University's Department of Psychology said, "As public figures have an impact on society, constructive criticism is necessary," but pointed out, "Personal attacks are not accepted as criticism."
Professor Lee added, "Verbal abuse causes injuries as severe as physical violence," and emphasized, "Neither the celebrities themselves nor their families should be subjected to criticism or personal violence."
Meanwhile, the Korea Entertainment Management Association (KEMA) announced on October 16 last year that it would take a strong stance against cyber terrorism and verbal abuse (malpl) that tramples on human dignity under the cover of anonymity.
KEMA stated, "As victims have experienced, we will no longer take lightly the crimes of rumor spreaders, verbal abuse (malpl), and malicious commenters, especially those close to cyber terrorism, and will no longer overlook them," emphasizing, "We will take a comprehensive and strong stance against verbal abuse indiscriminately directed at workers and artists in the popular culture and arts industry."
It also said, "The association will gradually take the lead in social activities to eradicate and prevent cyber terrorism, malpl, and malicious commenters so that the honor and dignity of 'popular culture and arts artists' suffering from malicious comments will no longer be damaged."
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