KBS has issued an apology after responding to a viewer petition concerning a video related to NewJeans.

Recently, KBS addressed a petition titled "We Demand a Halt to Malicious Reporting and an Official Apology" that was posted on the KBS viewer petition board.

On April 7, a netizen wrote, "A video included provocative phrases such as 'Escape is for the Smart' to attract views, despite official statements clarifying that the rumored conflict within NewJeans' families was false." The netizen expressed deep disappointment over what they saw as the dissemination of false information.

The petitioner also referenced a past incident where KBS quoted a YouTuber's personal opinion about a foreign media interview without including the full context, misleading the public into thinking NewJeans had made "anti-Korean" remarks. They added, "At one point, it was hard to tell whether KBS was a public broadcaster or a clickbait channel. When fans demanded corrections and an apology for a malicious thumbnail, KBS irresponsibly changed only the thumbnail without issuing any apology."

The petitioner continued, "KBS has repeatedly targeted a group that includes minors with sensational and malicious thumbnails to gain views, without verifying basic facts or ensuring the group’s right to respond." They demanded that KBS stop what they called malicious reporting on Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, and issue an official apology.

As of 9:30 PM on May 2, the petition had received support from 3,826 people. KBS is required to respond to viewer petitions that gather at least 1,000 signatures within 30 days.

In response, KBS stated, “The digital content in question covered the dispute between HYBE and NewJeans over their exclusive contract. We aimed to summarize and present both sides' arguments without bias. However, concerns were raised over the inappropriate wording in the thumbnail, and we have since taken the content down.”

KBS added, “We apologize to viewers who felt discomfort due to this incident. Going forward, we will take greater care not only with the content itself, but also with subtitles, titles, and other aspects of digital production.”

Currently, NewJeans is engaged in a legal dispute with ADOR over their exclusive contract.

Full Statement from KBS on Viewer Petition:

"Thank you for your interest in KBS News.

The digital content in question covered the dispute between HYBE and NewJeans over their exclusive contract. We aimed to summarize and present both sides' arguments without bias. However, concerns were raised over the inappropriate wording in the thumbnail, and we have since taken the content down

We apologize to viewers who felt discomfort due to this incident. Going forward, we will take greater care not only with the content itself, but also with subtitles, titles, and other aspects of digital production."

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