The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology (문화기술의 융합)

The International Promotion Agency of Culture Technology (국제문화기술진흥원)
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A Comparative Analysis of Fact-Checking News Fairness in South Korean Broadcasting

한국 방송의 팩트 체크 뉴스 공정성 비교 분석

  • Received : 2023.04.25
  • Accepted : 2023.05.10
  • Published : 2023.05.31
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Abstract

To compare whether broadcast fact-checking news, which aims to overcome the limitations of objective reporting, ensures fairness, we analyzed 227 fact-checked news stories aired on the main news of KBS, MBC SBS, TV Chosun, JTBC MBN, and YTN from January 1, 2022 to May 31, 2022, when the 20th presidential and local election campaigns were held. The analysis showed clear differences in fact-checking targets and narratives by broadcasters. In general, MBC, JTBC,and YTN were more likely to favor liberal parties such as the Democratic Party, while TV Chosun had a lot of narratives favoring the conservative camp. SBS and MBN were relatively neutral. KBS seemed to be trying to remain outwardly neutral. SBS and TV Chosun were the most active in fact-checking, but they covered a wide range of issues and were characterized by a bias toward contextualizing issues that viewers were curious about, rather than clarifying the facts. The projection of ideological bias by broadcasters in fact-checking narratives is a challenge that needs to be overcome.

객관보도의 한계를 극복하고자 출발한 방송의 팩트체크 뉴스가 공정성을 담보하고 있는지를 비교하기 위해 20대 대선과 지방선거전이 치러진 2022년 1월1일부터 2022년 5월31일까지 KBS와 MBC SBS, TV조선과 JTBC MBN, YTN의 메인뉴스에 방영된 팩트체크 뉴스 227건을 비교 분석했다. 분석결과 방송사에 따라 팩트체크 검증대상과 서술방식에 뚜렷한 차이를 보였다. 대체로 MBC와 JTBC YTN이 민주당 등 진보 진영에 우호적인 서술이 많았던 반면 TV조선은 국민의 힘 등 보수 진영에 우호적인 서술이 많았다. MBN은 비교적 중립적인 서술태도를 보인 것으로 나타났다. KBS는 외견상 중립을 지키려는 흔적이 역력했다. SBS와 TV 조선이 팩트체크에 가장 적극적이었으나 이슈를 폭넓게 다루면서 사실여부를 명확하게 가리기보다는 시청자들이 궁금해 하는 이슈를 대상으로 맥락 설명에 치우친 것이 특징이다. 팩트체크 서술에서 방송사별로 이념적 편향성이 투영되는 것은 극복해야할 과제이다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

이 논문은 2021년 대한민국 교육부와 한국연구재단의 지원을 받아 수행된 연구임 (NRF-2021S1A5B5A17048234)

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