Passenger Plane Collision and Explosion Footage Broadcast... Nine Broadcasters Receive Multiple 'Statements of Opinion' and 'Recommendations'

KCSC Issues Recommendations and Statements of Opinion
on Jeju Air Disaster Coverage and Youth Protection Violations

The Korea Communications Standards Commission took measures such as 'statement of opinion' and 'recommendation' against nine news programs that repeatedly broadcast scenes of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster.

On the 13th, the Commission held a plenary meeting at the Broadcasting Hall in Mokdong, Seoul, and deliberated and resolved a total of 15 cases.

Regarding the coverage of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster that occurred last month, MBC News Special on the day of the accident broadcast continuous scenes of the accident process from the plane's outer wall collision to the explosion, and subtitles unrelated to the report such as 'Impeachment: 817' appeared on the screen for about one second.

Additionally, the Commission judged that the broadcast violated broadcasting standards by labeling the East Sea as the Sea of Japan on a screen showing the plane's flight path on a map, and decided to hear MBC's statement of opinion before deliberation. The statement of opinion is a procedure that guarantees the broadcaster's right to rebuttal before legal sanctions are imposed.

JTBC News Special was also pointed out for repeatedly exposing scenes of the plane collision and explosion by partially freezing the screen, and a statement of opinion was decided.

KBS, SBS, TV Chosun, Channel A, MBN, YTN, Yonhap News TV, and seven terrestrial, general programming, and news-specialized channels also broadcast the accident news through news specials, showing scenes of the plane collision and explosion, and were resolved with a 'recommendation.'

Meanwhile, tvN's entertainment program 'Bapina Hansjanhae Friends' received a caution for broadcasting content that could glamorize or encourage drinking during the youth protection viewing hours.

This program aired a scene staging a beer drinking contest where the fastest drinker received a prize, and the cast members made toasts saying things like 'Take a sip and talk' and 'Want a drink,' with subtitles stating 'A refreshing drink' and 'Let's have a drink for the mood,' which became the subject of review.