[Reporter’s Notebook] Media Justifying Oppression and Destruction Under the Pretext of the Right to Know

A Social Trial Overflowing with Criticism and Contempt
Media Sets the Agenda, Sensational 'Clickbait' Spreads Even to Major Broadcasters
Acts of Oppression and Destruction of Others Justified and Tolerated

The public gathers around a common object of hatred. They hold up the most ideal standards and degrade reputations by deeming them insufficient. Even when the given information is uncertain, they create new reasons to justify their hatred. Psychologists Steve Reicher and Alex Haslam explained it as follows: "The reason people commit such wrongs is not because they are unaware of what they are doing, but because they believe their actions are right. It is only possible by actively conforming to a group that holds an ideology that justifies and tolerates the oppression of others."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

A social trial rampant with criticism and contempt. The topic is mainly set by the media. Some appeal to sensationalism to attract readers' attention. They stimulate unhealthy emotions under the pretext of the right to know. The recent reports about Lee Seon-gyun, who recently passed away, were like that. At the initial investigation stage, they pretended to follow the law by concealing the real name. However, they planted identifiable elements everywhere. ‘Top star L’, ‘distinctive low voice’, ‘debuted in a 2001 MBC sitcom’... Even without a name, everyone thought of the same person.

Many media outlets, with red eyes, churned out provocative articles. They produced so-called ‘clickbait’ articles mentioning recent status and fortune-telling. Suddenly, articles about him flooded in. After the real name was revealed, YouTube channels and even terrestrial broadcasters joined in. However, the reported content was unrelated to the charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. It was private phone calls with a manager of an entertainment establishment. Far from adhering to the presumption of innocence, they obscured the essence of the case and blatantly defamed his honor. An acquaintance of Mr. Lee said, "He has been sincerely cooperating with the police investigation and intended to continue doing so," but also added, "He suffered greatly after the phone call recordings were made public."

The charges have not been proven even after three months. Even if proven true, it is a matter to be dealt with through appropriate punishment. No one has the right to inflict such humiliation in advance. The same applies even if the suspect is a celebrity. Psychologists Raymond Bergner and Walter Torres defined humiliation as "a state in which one is thoroughly deprived of status and the ability to obtain status." "If one loses even the status to obtain status due to humiliation, one is denied the very right to regain the previously lost status." The group that holds an ideology justifying and tolerating the oppression and destruction of others was precisely the media.