[Issue News] ‘Asada Mao’ Death Rumors... What About YouTube Fake News?

[Asia Economy PD Yoon Jin-geun] Rumors of the death of Japanese figure skating star Asada Mao are spreading through YouTube. Experts emphasize the need for strong punishment against those who spread false information and fake news.

The YouTube channel ‘K News’ posted a video titled ‘[Breaking News] Asada Mao found in an apartment in Gangnam, Seoul. Kim Yuna bursts into tears, eventually... Emergency room at Seoul National University Hospital’ on the afternoon of the 17th. The video claims that Asada Mao made an extreme choice at her home in Gangnam, Seoul, was transported to the emergency room at Seoul National University Hospital, but died.

False news spread that Mao Asada (photo) had died in Korea. Photo by Getty Images

This is ‘fake news’ created by the YouTube channel in question. Asada Mao currently resides in Japan and has been regularly sharing personal updates, such as promoting the ice show ‘BEYOND’ on her personal Instagram on the 17th. After the controversy arose, the ‘K News’ channel changed its name to ‘Click News,’ but currently, the video and YouTube account are inaccessible.

This is not the first time such fake news has appeared. As of the 20th, multiple channels besides this one are openly posting fake news such as ‘Park Soo-hong made an extreme choice’ and ‘Lim Young-woong entered the operating room of the late Song Hae to observe.’

The videos produced by these channels splice footage of the individuals with false content, making viewers believe the news is true.

Channels that amplify and reproduce fake news on platforms like YouTube are gradually increasing. The photo shows a YouTube channel that continuously posts fake news videos.

In response, YouTube has established guidelines to manage spam, deceptive practices, and false information including fake news, and takes actions such as deleting content or shutting down channels accordingly. However, these measures are only reactive and cannot fundamentally prevent the spread of fake news.

The Citizens’ Coalition for Democratic Media commented on fake news on YouTube, stating, “Considering YouTube’s media functions and influence, continuous monitoring and cooperation with users and civil society are necessary,” and “Autonomous efforts by YouTube platform operators are also essential.” They also emphasized, “Current laws must be strictly enforced to prevent citizens, as media consumers, from becoming victims of fake news.”