Arirang TV, ‘Fighting the President’ remarks, “Not thoughtful, strong attention to reporters”

Arirang International Broadcasting (Arirang TV), which caused controversy by shouting “Fighting” during a question and answer session with President Yoon Seok-yeol, said that the reporter’s remarks were inappropriate as a journalist and that they would come up with measures to prevent recurrence.

Earlier, a reporter from the presidential office belonging to Arirang TV said, “President, fighting” during a Q&A session with President Yoon who went to work at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul on the 8th. At the time, President Yoon heard this and said, “Democracy politics is something that cannot be done without the media. Thank you,” he continued.

Arirang TV, which did not reveal its position at the time of the controversy, gave an answer when a member of the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee asked a written question. Justice Party lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong’s office said to Joo Dong-won, “It is unusual for a reporter to shout a cheering slogan at an official event, so the reporter’s support was reported through various media. and maintain strict objectivity with a balanced posture. It is pointed out that such actions by reporters in public places undermine the objectivity and fairness of Arirang TV reports.”

▲ On the morning of the 8th, President Yoon Seok-yeol has a question-and-answer session with reporters at the Presidential Office Building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. photo = presidential office

In response to this, Kwon Tae-cheol, head of Arirang TV’s current affairs reporting center, said in an answer letter on the 9th, “As a journalist, I should do fair and balanced coverage, but I think it was an unconsidered remark.” When asked whether there were similar precedents in the past, he replied, “There is no past case.”

Center Director Kwon also said, “We will strengthen education so that such cases do not recur in the future.” For additional inquiries about the detailed training plan, on the 11th, △Invitation of external journalists (reporting ethics, etc.) was added to the basic education for new reporters △Addition of participation in forums and seminars hosted by the Journalism Association during professional training for experienced reporters △Overseas through Journalism Academy He said that he would promote reporter training (reporting ethics pursued by foreign media companies).

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