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Submitted
February 13, 2024
Accepted
November 27, 2024
Published
November 30, 2024
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Abstract

This study investigated how the emergence and practice of a fact-checking movement in South Korea have assisted the revival of journalism with a primary focus on truth-seeking and information verification. It examined in what ways Yonhap News Agency (YNA), a leading news agency in South Korea, fact-checked social and political issues, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study employed in-depth interviews with fact-checking journalists at YNA. In addition to that, to trace YNA’s fact-checking activities and cross-check the findings from the interviews, this study conducted textual analysis of YNA’s fact-checking articles, examining their claims, evidence, and judgments. This study found that YNA’s fact-checking services contributed to preventing the spread of the ‘infodemic’ in South Korea. YNA’s fact-checking journalism can be considered as one form of ethical journalism that ensured incorrect information did not pass through journalistic gates in the pre-internet era. This study underscores the significance of fact-checking journalism in enhancing the quality of journalism worldwide.

Keywords

Fact-checking South Korea ethical journalism infodemic Covid-19 pandemic.

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Copyright (c) 2024 Jae Sik Ha

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How to Cite
Ha, J. S. (2024). Shortcut to Rebuilding Public Trust: Fact-Checking Journalism by YNA in South Korea . Asian Journal of Media and Communication, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.20885/asjmc.vol8.iss1.art2
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