JTBC is a South Korean nationwide TV station launched in 2011. 'JTBC Newsroom' is JTBC's main news program. JTBC was the first broadcaster to operate a factchecking team featuring a regular factchecking segment on the main TV news program. Please refer to the attached document. 

• Main Website : https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck

  

JTBC is a nationwide general programming cable TV channel in South Korea. JTBC Factcheck's About Us page ( https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/about/, archived here https://web.archive.org/web/20210228165812/https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/about/) states that JTBC Factcheck is JTBC's fact-checking segment that has been running since 2014. However, nowhere does the language mention JTBC's legal status.

Instead, their methodology page ( https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology/ , archived here https://web.archive.org/web/20210228203801/https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology/) states JTBC's legal status as CATV broadcasting business entity under South Korea's Broadcasting Act. While this meets the requirement for compliance, it would be better to include this language in the About Us page.

With the increase in access to internet and social media, the presence of fake news has become manifest in South Korea. To combat this ongoing issue, JTBC has created a fact checking segment in the Newsroom on September 2014. This segment is still being broadcasted today on weekdays Monday to Thursday.

The JTBC Fact checking team is consisted of 7 members including a reporter, a CG designer, a producer and four writers.

With over 1070+ fact checking articles, we check statements by influential politicians, verify fake news and/or false information spread, without confining to political issues. We have also been dealing with the fake news spread through social media including Youtube, Facebook and Twitter.

Last year, we have partnered with Facebook to find and halt the spread of misinformation on social media. This year we are planning to strengthen this partnership to go up against the plethora of fake news being continuously circulated online. 

JTBC Factcheck is one of the best known fact-checking initiatives in the South Korean media landscape. It started as a sub-segment of JTBC Newsroom in September 2014 and regularly verified statements made by influential politicians and debunked rumors that spread online.The efforts they made to tackle misinformation during the 2016-2017 Presidential impeachment of Park Geun-Hye, when mis- and disinformation was widespread among Park supporters, contributed to elevating their reputation. Their impressive track record led other media outlets to launch their own fact checking initiatives. JTBC Factcheck is also known for its reputation of producing high-quality fact-checks and being highly relevant with issues of the time.

Factcheck articles published over the course of six months are accessible through the link below: 

Main Website : https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck

       Our articles are also accessible through other platforms including NAVER, DAUM, Youtube, and the SNU Factcheck center. (Links are as below) 

       Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/FACTCHECK.JTBC/

      SNU factcheck center: http://factcheck.snu.ac.kr/v2/facts?press_code=jtbc

JTBC Factcheck has consistently produced an average of 3~4 fact check articles per week since their launch in September 2014.

Most countries have been dealing with rumors around the COVID-19 vaccine over the past several months. 5 out of 10 randomly selected fact-check articles produced by JTBC Factcheck dealt with rumors and disinformation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, efficacy and side effects. JTBC Factcheck also tackled misinformation that distorted historical facts that South Koreans have a keen interest in (the Comfort Women issue, Korean flag) and verified rumors on real estate policy, which has always been drawn public attention.

Below are 10 fact-check articles from JTBC Factcheck over the past three months, selected at random.

- https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11976142 (Verified rumors on real estate policy)

- https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11978017 (Debunked a deep-fake video of President Biden admitting election-rigging)

- https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11978703 (Is the COVID-19 vaccine rollout delayed due to lack of budget?)

- https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11979492 (Debunked rumors that the Chinese government influenced KFDA decisions on COVID-19)

- https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11983054 (Verified rumors on COVID-19 vaccine side effects)

- https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11984261 (Debunked misinformation spread on a Chinese quiz show that the Korean flag was made by a Chinese person)

- https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11988571 (Verified a controversial statement on adoption made by President Moon Jae-In)

- https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11987818 (Debunked rumors that the government is restricting choice over COVID-19 vaccine in order to force people to get vaccinated by Chinese vaccines)

- https://news.jtbc.joins.com/html/685/NB11993685.html (Verified statements made by politicians on the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines)

- https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11990641 (Fact checked an academic paper written by a Harvard University professor that claimed that wartime sex slaves voluntarily signed contracts to become 'Comfort Women')

JTBC factcheck takes part in the JTBC Newsroom activity. Since JTBC is a commercial TV station, we do not receive any sort of funding. 

We clearly state on our website - "We do not receive any sort of funding from any stakeholders." http://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology 

JTBC is a subsidiary company of the Joongang Group; JTBC's financial statements can be accessed through http://jtbc.joins.com/company/finance 

JTBC Factcheck states on its website ( https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology/, archived here https://web.archive.org/web/20210228203801/https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology/) that most of their budget goes to personnel costs, all of which are covered by funds from JTBC. Viewers can easily access JTBC's financial statement and see who the major shareholders are.

JTBC Factcheck does not receive funding from any local/foreign state or political sources. 

Not applicable

01. 북한 사이트, 무조건 차단 대상?

https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11930579

02. "10초 숨참기"가 코로나19 자가 진단법?

https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11937243

03. 격리중이면? 증상 나타나면? 투표 못하는 경우는?

https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11942157

04. 개학해도 에어컨 못켠다? 온라인 떠도는 '공문' 확인해보니

https://mnews.jtbc.joins.com/News/Article.aspx?news_id=NB11948709

05. 기상청 슈퍼컴퓨터가 중국산이라 예보 틀린다?

https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11964211

06. '코로나19 중국 제조설' 논란...어떻게 봐야할까

https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11970059

07. "파헤쳐진 백선엽 장군 묘?" 사진 속 진실은?

https://mnews.jtbc.joins.com/News/Article.aspx?news_id=NB11970820

08. 영하 70도 백신 유통, 국내에서는 불가능하다?

https://mnews.jtbc.joins.com/News/Article.aspx?news_id=NB11978501

09. 마트 노동자 위한 '구멍 손잡이', 벌레 우려 무시한 탁상행정?

https://mnews.jtbc.joins.com/News/Article.aspx?news_id=NB11985694

10. 이재용 구속에 주가 급락…개미들 곡소리 난다?

https://mnews.jtbc.joins.com/News/Article.aspx?news_id=NB11988897

> Our factchecking articles are supported through evidence based on statistics, data and research from relevant organizations and institutions, as well as exclusive data retrieved by our team. Our daily fact checking process is explained in detail on our website (See link: https://mnews.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology/ ) 

JTBC Factcheck's past work demonstrates consistency in the use of same high standards of evidence, as well as looking for multiple sources of information and providing reference to the viewers. Their conclusions are always drawn from the evidence they show the viewers, and when in need for expert comments, the team always provides opinions of multiple experts.

https://mnews.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology/ 

> Refer to Section 1 

JTBC's fact-check methods are well-described on their website. Any issues or claims that is related to public interest and verifiable with evidence can be fact-checked, and encourages viewers to send suggestions on claims to be fact-checked. Members of the JTBC Factcheck team are prohibited from joining political parties. All members participate in the fact-checking process, and everything is cross-checked among the members.

Based on 20 fact-check articles produced by JTBC Factcheck over the past year, randomly selected by the assessor, the applicant has always provided contextual information on the relationships between individuals and organizations featured in the segment.

Based on the randomized sampling of the applicant's social media feeds and website, the assessor could not find any expression of support for any political party, politician or political candidate or advocacy group, nor any advocacy for or against any policy positions.

https://mnews.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology/

 >  Refer to Section 2 

https://mnews.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology/

 >  Refer to Section 2 

2. Nonpartisanship section

-Members of JTBC Fact-check team cannot be members of a political party.

-Members of JTBC Fact-check team do not express political opinions publicly or post on social-media.

-We are not biased to either side When dealing with matters,

JTBC Fact-check team checks to ensure compliance with these contents when hiring members, and frequently checks whether they are complying with the work process as well.

※ Jae-won Choi, leader of JTBC Fact-check team, has not posted any posts on social-media since the past.

Under the Nonpartisanship section of the methodology page, JTBC Factcheck mentions that all staff of the fact-check team are prohibited from joining any political party, but does not outline how this policy is enforced.

The assessor could not find any social media accounts of staff members of the JTBC Factcheck team. Former leaders for JTBC Factcheck team had some publicly available posts on their social media accounts, but no posts indicated partisanship or political opinions of any sort.

Under the Nonpartisanship section of the methodology page, JTBC Factcheck mentions that all staff members of the fact-check team are prohibited from joining any political party, and staff members should not post personal opinions that show their political leaning on their social media accounts. The non-partisanship policy is one of their main standards in recruiting new members to the team, and the team will regularly check with staff members on their compliance to this policy.

The assessor could not find any social media accounts of staff members of the JTBC Factcheck team. Former leaders for JTBC Factcheck team had some publicly available posts on their social media accounts, but no posts indicated partisanship or political opinions of any sort.

JTBC Factcheck identifies the source of all significant evidence used in their fact checks. The team always references the source of the evidence. While is difficult for them to provide URLs to the sources even when the source is publicly available when the segment airs, it would be ideal if the team can provide links to sources on the online version of their stories afterwards when possible.

20 randomly-selected fact-check articles by JTBC Factcheck over the past year shows the applicant's consistency in using primary sources when fact-checking a statement, rumor or claim.

The applicant used information from several different sources to fact-check the issue at hand, unless there was only one available source of information.

The applicant generally provides context and background information on sources. There was not a case where their evidence was based on a source related to the government or an advocacy group among the randomly selected fact-checks produced by JTBC Factcheck.

JTBC Factcheck, is the fact-checking section of JTBC, a legally registered comprehensive programming broadcaster in South Korea. 

JTBC is a subsidiary company of Joongang Group. Attached below is proof of legal status.

The proof of JTBC's legal status is valid.

https://news.jtbc.joins.com/ 

> Under JTBC newsroom, our 'factcheck' segment is accessible. 

   https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/about/ 

  > More information can be found here in the 'about' section of our page. 

JTBC Factcheck's About Us page clearly states that JTBC Factcheck was launched as part of JTBC Newsroom's fact-checking segment in September 2014.

https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/staff/ 

 > Refer to the link above 

JTBC Factcheck lists the names and bios of staff members who produce the fact-checking segment. Currently, there are five full-time staff members. The team is led by a broadcast reporter who presents the findings and four researchers with different areas of strength. The team also lists former JTBC Factcheck leaders (all three of them JTBC reporters) as the team's advisory group.

While this broadly meets the requirements for this criterium, adding clarifications on how and by whom editorial control is exercised could improve this page.

http://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/staff

At the bottom of each factcheck article, the factchecker's photo and bio are attached. (Refer to the PDF document attached.) 

JTBC Factcheck team is consisted of a broadcast journalist (who leads the team) and four researchers. Their biographies are shown on https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/staff/.

http://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/contact 

Our contact page is simple and easy-to-use. Our viewers and readers can send easily their comments to our team using the email(jebo@jtbc.co.kr), telephone(02-751-6001) and KakaoTalk(Korean Mobile Messenger).

Viewers also can contact us through Facebook( https://www.facebook.com/FACTCHECK.JTBC )

In addition, the email address of the reporter is also accessible at the bottom of each fact checking article. 

JTBC Factcheck website makes it easy for viewers to send their opinions. They encourage the public to send suggestions for claims to be fact-checked as well as feedback on their articles. The public can reach the team through a variety of communication channels, from Kakao Talk (the most popular messaging app in Korea), Facebook, email and phone.

https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology/

> Refer to Section 3 

The link provided by the applicant has clear language on how JTBC Factcheck selects and fact-checks claims.

Most segments produced by JTBC Factcheck opens by introducing why the issue or claim to be fact-checked has been selected by the team, or explains why the issue or claim is important. The anchor starts the conversation with the fact-checker by asking questions or introducing the issues, sometimes including the reach of the matter. This lets the viewers take a look into how the team chooses the issues they fact-check.

In applicable cases, JTBC Factcheck set out relevant evidence that supports the claim, but also provide viewers with evidence that undermines it. Especially when they fact-checked claims made by politicians, they would present legislative rules as well as exceptions that counter the rules to portray the full picture.

Based on the assessment of the 20 randomized samples, there were no patterns of bias, partisanship, or unfair treatment of claims.

The applicant generally makes efforts (and mentions such efforts in their segments when their efforts did not yield desired results) to reach out to the person who originally made a claim that triggered controversies. In cases where the applicant fact-checked claims made by politicians, the applicant did not always reach out to the politician who made the claim in every case. This is because they could either debunk or confirm the validity of the claim through other means that were more relevant to the issue, or the claim made was controversial in nature, thus did not need more clarification from the politician.

http://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/contact

The contact page is also created so that our readers can easily submit claims to fact-check. 

       > https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology/ 

          Section 1 under Methodology describes in detail of what the readers can legitimately expect to be fact-checked. 

http://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/contact

The contact page is also created so that our readers can easily submit claims to fact-check. 

       > https://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology/ 

          Section 1 under Methodology describes in detail of what the readers can legitimately expect to be fact-checked. 

        (※Adding more description)

        -We do not check the facts for opinions that cannot be verified.

        Following information, We choose the subject of Fact-checking.

       • Are the information, statements, or claims based on verifiable facts? We do not fact-check Opinions.

       • Is there a possibility that information, remarks, claims, will affect others and spread to the public?

       • Is the public interested or curious about whether the information, remarks, or claims are true?

Although JTBC Factcheck makes it easy for viewers to send in claims to check and feedback on the articles, it is not clear for the public to expect what cannot be fact-checked. Adding more description on what isn't fact-checkable and providing some examples would be idea.

JTBC Factcheck makes it easy for viewers to send in claims to check and feedback on the articles, and provides an explanation on what types of claims can be fact-checked in their segment.

Through the contact page, people can easily request correction and error.

  > http://news.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/methodology 

  > We have published on our website that "We welcome your request for correction and once we are aware, we will take care of it immediately"

JTBC Factcheck's corrections/complaints policy is visible and easy to access.

The applicant's corrections/complaints policy clearly states that the team will immediately attend to the reported complaints, and provides a time frame as to how long it is expected to take for the team to make necessary changes.

No correction was made in the previous year. 

Although the applicant states that there were no corrections made in the previous year, the assessor found a correction made by JTBC Factcheck in August 2020, following a complaint from a viewer. https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB11962266

The applicant's explanation to the corrections are as follows:

"※Last revised time: August 4, 2020, 5pm

Deleted the broadcast video and replaced it with graphics. This is because a request for deletion was received from a viewer who is related to the person in the YouTube video. As a result of receiving the request and internally reviewing it, there were no problems in the broadcast process such as mosaic processing, but it was decided to delete it in order to help the person heal and recover. We ask for your understanding."

https://mnews.jtbc.joins.com/factcheck/about/ 

 > Our team has submitted the information above to our tech team to be included in the about section of our website - and is currently waiting for it to process. Attached is the expected layout. If necessary we will submit the final product once it is finalized. 

The link submitted by the applicant has a link to the complaints page on the IFCN website, and clearly states that any IFCN code violations can be reported through that link.

The Following link provides JTBC's ethics policy. 

>  http://jtbc.joins.com/company/ethics 

In addition, people can talk to the ombudsman of JTBC. JTBC has an ombudsman system in accordance to the Korean Law (Broadcasting Act) 

Attached is the link for further information : http://tv.jtbc.joins.com/event/pr10010056/pm10011613 

JTBC's ethics policy states: "We recognize that accuracy is the source of public confidence in broadcasting, and we promptly correct any obvious errors in broadcasting contents. In particular, anyone who raises an objection for legitimate reasons such as defamation or infringement of rights are given an opportunity to object."