The government plans to set up an open platform to fact-check various information and educate the public about how social media works. (Image: National Forensic Service)
SEOUL, Aug. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — The government will set up a participatory fact-checking platform to cope with various side effects caused by the expanding use of digital media following the coronavirus outbreak.
The Korea Communications Commission and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced these plans on Thursday.
“The expanding use of digital media in the coronavirus era is causing various side effects in society including the isolation of individuals, dispersion of communities, widening gap of socioeconomic inequality, proliferation of false information and cyber violence,” the government explained.
As such, the government plans to set up an open platform to fact-check various information and educate the public about how social media works.
The government will also train fact-checkers, and offer intensive courses for professionals to fact-check various issues in their own fields.
Ethics education on identity-setting in the digital space, communication and social participation, as well as programs to prevent digital side effects, including cyber violence and hate speech, will be introduced.
Media centers will be established across the country to allow everyone to create various kinds of media using facilities and equipment lent out free of charge.
“We aim to strengthen our infrastructure and expand education on media so that South Koreans can better utilize digital media in today’s ‘untact’ society. We will make sure that everyone enjoys the benefit of the new initiative,” said Han Sang-hyuk, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
