JIBS Jeju Broadcasting has been hit with disciplinary action after one of its anchors was drunk on a live news broadcast.
On March 4, the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) held a plenary meeting at the Korean Broadcasting Hall in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. All members voted to issue a 'warning' for the '8 PM JIBS News.'
The anchor, Cho Chang Beom, was found to have violated broadcasting regulations during a live broadcast. Specifically, he broke the regulations on maintaining dignity (article 27) and broadcasting accidents (article 55-2).
On March 30 of last year, Cho Chang Beom was embroiled in allegations of broadcasting while being severely intoxicated during the '8 PM JIBS News.' During the broadcast, his slurred speech and a 7-second period of silence caused a broadcast accident.
JIBS explained, "The anchor had consumed alcohol during the day and took cold medicine. He became aware of his condition during the evening broadcast. The staff immediately stopped the news and aired an apology."
An internal disciplinary committee was also held, and the station imposed sanctions. Cho Chang Beom received a three-month suspension and was excluded from news production for a year. Additionally, a warning was issued to the news director.
However, the KCSC pointed out that "the follow-up measures were not timely." They added, "Drunk broadcasting is absolutely unacceptable for any station. Legal sanctions are inevitable."
The KCSC's decision consists of a total of seven measures, with the "warning" counting as a legal sanction. This will serve as a point deduction during the station's re-licensing review and other assessments.
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