• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.22
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• pp.377-401
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• 2011

Major news organizations in Korea are often accused of intentionally conspiring to advance conservative agendas under the disguise of unbiased reporting. Critics suspect that headlines are frequently abused for a certain framing effect. The widespread use of direct quotation is cited as one area of the abuse in headlines. The present study is an attempt to determine whether the criticism is based on facts. We conducted two separate surveys. First, the headlines on three major Korean newspapers were compared with those on The New York Times, Washington Post, and The Times. Then, we collected from Korean and English speakers factivity judgements for the sentences containing a direct quotation. The results confirm previous studies that Korean newspapers engage in a heavy use of direct quotation in headlines. Moreover, the results partially confirm the popular perception that the common use of direct quotation is a recent phenomenon in Korea. Finally, the study finds that both groups of speakers consider direct quotations more truthful than factive sentences.

• Korean journal of communication and information
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• v.38
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• pp.183-210
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• 2007

The study tried to explore ordinary people's press fairness concept being neglected by the mainstream of fairness research thus far. With empirical standpoint, this study first investigated (un)fairness concept held by general audience, and then compared it with existing ones long suggested by experts such as scholars and media workers. Also, the study examined audience's concept construct in terms of its characteristics and implications. A systematic sample of 300 adults in Seoul was interviewed and their answers (instances of press unfairness) were analyzed and categorized. The most serious problem in fairness, they pointed, was that the press's not neutral. Also, truth and balance were importantly raised as a press problem with regard to fairness. The result showed press ethics and commercial morals could be a significant element for people's view on press fairness. These elements are new to the literature and heuristic regarding how to approach toward fairness issue in our society. The study also discusses the implications of other findings.

• Korean journal of communication and information
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• v.73
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• pp.56-91
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• 2015

This study examined changes in the independent production environment in the perspectives from flexible specialization of labor and media routines since January 2011, when comprehensive programming television channels (JTBC, MBN, Channel A, TV Chosun) emerged in Korea. In-depth interviews were conducted with thirteen individuals, including producers from independent production companies, broadcast writers, and individuals involved with these TV channels. The interview results indicated that a flexible specialization production system had been established by the comprehensive programming channels. This means that they were heavily dependent on independent producers, except in relations to their own news programs. Moreover, it was identified that the production of diverse programs could be difficult due to absurd contract practices such as those related to TV ratings and performance systems. Second, these channels have implemented some positive changes such as the payment of higher production costs and an incentive system, compared to terrestrial TV stations. However, the incentive system also helps to aggravate internal competition in the channel and also instigate contract competitions among independent companies, which can eventually result in the channels for holding exclusive rights to certain content and, hence, unfair business practices. Third, as a result of the newspaper and broadcast cross-owenership system of the comprehensive programming channels, hierarchical independent production practices can be established under the influence of newspaper proprietors and executives or managers who have previously worked for newspapers. Lastly, as a result of interviews with independent producers and individuals involved with the TV channels concerning the awareness of comprehensive programming channels, it could not be ascertained whether it is difficult to produce programs dealing with diverse items and genres, because programming autonomy has been distorted by capital or the advertisement market. In this circumstance, it is not surprising that some comprehensive programming channels mentioned that they prioritize profit and performance in programming. In conclusion, it is absolutely imperative that complementary and legal measures be implemented institutionally in order to redress the existing systematic dysfunctional routines in the independent productions of the comprehensive programming TV channels in Korea.