Lies and Manipulation Out, Korea's First 'Fake News Archive' Opens.

As the division in public opinion due to fake news continues to deepen in South Korea, the nation has unveiled its first 'Fake News Archive.' This archive has been established with the purpose of systematically documenting the verification results of fake news and its societal impact to raise awareness of the harm caused by fake news and to correct it.

 

Fake news has emerged as a significant issue in modern society, necessitating a response and prevention.

 

The nonprofit organization "Barun Unmin Hyeongdong" (Co-represented by Oh Jeong-geun and Kim Hyeong-cheol) announced on the 7th that they have inaugurated and will operate the country's first 'Fake News Archive.' This archive is accessible through the website called 'Truth Guardian' (truthguardian.co.kr).

 

The website features various sections including the 'Fake News Archive' and 'This Month's Fake News.' It has currently fact-checked approximately 170 pieces of fake news and recorded their consequences and societal impacts. Users can search for fake news based on keywords, statement issuers, media channels, programs, and verification details. Currently, the Fake News Archive shows that the broadcaster Kim Eo-jun and the Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Ui-kyum have the highest number of fake news pieces, with 13 and 5 respectively. Among media channels, MBC has produced the most fake news with 20 instances.

 

The Barun Unmin Hyeongdong organization stated, "This archive includes prominent fake news such as statements by Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focused Perspective,' and fake news related to Kim Geon-hee's Twitter Silver Mark." They also added, "Additionally, this archive includes past significant fake news such as the manipulation of Sewol ferry tracking data, the fake news regarding THAAD electromagnetic waves and watermelons, and Choi Soon-sil's properties in trillions of won."

 

Another section called 'This Month's Fake News' compiles databases of fake news, including 'Fake News of the Last 10 Years,' 'Fake News in the First Year Since the Yoon Government's Inauguration,' and '19 Instances of Fake News About Fukushima' released since the establishment of Barun Unmin Hyeongdong in February. This database has been jointly published by Barun Unmin Hyeongdong, Fair Media Citizens' Coalition, and the nationwide professors' group aspiring for social justice.

 

Fake news has emerged as a significant issue in modern society, necessitating a response and prevention. By providing the opportunity to identify fake news and obtain information about it through this archive, news consumers can access more reliable information. This is expected to minimize societal confusion and division caused by fake news and contribute to enhancing the truthfulness and transparency of the media.