Newspaper Association Urges Naver to Stop Labeling Media as 'Fake News'

Naver's Request to Withdraw the 'Correction Notice Display Measure'

The Korea Newspaper Association (Chairman Lim Chae-cheong) officially announced on the 25th that it demands Naver to withdraw its 'news correction request display measure.'

Naver's news correction request display measure refers to attaching a correction notice at the top of an article when a correction report is received for a specific article. The Newspaper Association and the media criticize Naver's measure as an act that undermines readers' trust in the media and fuels the controversy over 'fake news.'

On the same day, the Newspaper Association stated that it delivered 'the Korea Newspaper Association's opinion on Naver's "correction notice" display' to Naver and the Naver News Innovation Forum members.

Earlier, on the 15th, Naver announced that for articles with correction, rebuttal, or subsequent report requests, it would display the phrase 'Correction request in progress' on the portal search results page. It also announced plans to establish an online request page for correction requests, which had previously been accepted only via written documents and registered mail.

Naver's recent measure is based on Article 17-2 (Special Provisions on Internet News Services) of the current 'Act on the Mediation and Relief of Damage in the Press (hereinafter the Press Mediation Act).' This provision requires portals to indicate when a correction request or similar has been received.

Regarding this, the Newspaper Association pointed out in its statement, "Naver's recent measure does not align with the legislative intent of the Press Mediation Act, which aims to harmonize 'freedom of the press and public responsibility.'" Furthermore, it explained that the reason lawmakers did not impose penalties on this provision (Article 17-2) is "to seek a balanced approach between remedying damage caused by press reports and protecting press freedom," and stated, "Considering the legislative intent, the legal provision cited by Naver is not appropriate."

The Newspaper Association especially noted, "Unintentional errors may occur during the process of uncovering the truth and investigating facts, but these are due to mistakes in the reporting and editing process and differ from intentionally or maliciously fabricated false reports." However, it added, "The very display of 'correction request in progress' can transform the reporting journalist into a potential perpetrator and imprint the public perception of them as a villain."

Moreover, the association expressed concern that this measure could block critical and suspicious reports in a manner similar to 'strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP),' which aim to intimidate the press. Rather than serving the purpose of correction, it is highly likely to be abused as a means to stigmatize reports with the label of 'fake news' and damage their credibility.

The Newspaper Association stated, "The media will strengthen self-censorship processes to avoid correction requests, and additional or follow-up investigations on government oversight or critical reports will inevitably be suppressed." It added, "Adding phrases such as 'correction request in progress' to news reports clearly infringes on editorial rights and ultimately results in the violation of press freedom."

The Newspaper Association urged, "Ahead of important periods such as elections, Naver's actions may be perceived as an attempt to evade responsibility for the distribution of sensitive articles." It called for "the full withdrawal of this measure and the pursuit of solutions through consultation with the media industry that can harmonize personal rights (remedies for damage caused by press reports) and press freedom."