Balancing Truth and Fairness in Election Journalism

Lecture in Korean

Image from Rawpixel

Jungmi Lee, News Reporter Yonhap Television News

Wednesday, April 9, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

10383 Bunche Hall (10th floor)

During election periods, media outlets are expected to provide coverage that is both neutral and fair. However, the rise of investigative journalism in recent years has raised concerns about balancing truth-seeking with fairness. While uncovering the truth is a cornerstone of reporting, certain investigations may inadvertently be influenced by specific agendas, potentially skewing coverage. Additionally, media outlets may emphasize particular perspectives, sometimes leading to criticism of specific individuals or parties.
The rapid growth of social media platforms has further complicated the issue of fairness. Misinformation, rumors, and fake news spread quickly, eroding media credibility and posing challenges for journalists striving to maintain integrity. This, in turn, undermines public trust in media coverage and the democratic process as a whole.
This presentation will analyze the challenges media outlets faced in maintaining impartiality, focusing specifically on candidate verification reports during the 2022 South Korean presidential election. It will also explore expert perspectives on media coverage of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Furthermore, the presentation will examine the strategies employed by South Korean and U.S. media outlets to ensure fairness, restore media credibility, and combat the spread of misinformation during election cycles.

Sponsor(s): Center for Korean Studies