The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) unanimously approved a legal sanction, a 'warning', for SBS' 'Unanswered Questions', over its handling of the FIFTY FIFTY exclusive contract dispute. The decision, reached during a meeting at the Broadcasting Center in Seoul's Yangcheon-gu on March 5 KST, follows criticism over the program's lack of neutrality and balance.
The production team of 'Unanswered Questions' expressed regret, acknowledging their oversight in maintaining impartiality. Despite efforts to fairly represent the views of involved parties, the inclusion of emotional letters and the absence of key stakeholders stirred controversy among viewers. Reflecting on the program's 30-year legacy, the team vowed to exercise greater caution in future productions.
Addressing concerns, the team clarified their attempts to secure broadcast permissions from all parties involved before the court's ruling. They expressed disappointment at the absence of ATTRAKT's CEO during reporting, highlighting challenges in achieving comprehensive coverage.
In response to criticism, the committee unanimously issued a warning, citing breaches of fairness regulations and potential defamation risks. Commissioner Moon Jae Wan emphasized the program's failure to maintain balance prior to legal rulings, while Commissioner Lee Jeong Ok raised concerns over misleading viewers.
Chairman Ryu Hee Rim underscored the societal disruption caused by the program and emphasized the inevitability of court sanctions despite subsequent apologies and corrective actions.
The episode in question aired in August last year and focused on the FIFTY FIFTY exclusive contract dispute. However, allegations of bias and failure to maintain neutrality marred the program's integrity. Viewers boycotted the show, demanding its cancellation, and industry associations protested against biased reporting.
The 'Unanswered Questions' episode on FIFTY FIFTY became the subject of numerous complaints to the KCSC, earning the dubious distinction of the most complained-about broadcast program from January to August last year.
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They've been getting away for so long, should have been cancelled when they put fake witnesses to the murder of Son Jung-min on the show while the case was still under investigation. They were supposed to be a show that revisit old cold case but have the audacity to steer public opinions about recent cases.