"Creating a National Participation Fact-Check Platform for the 'War on Fake News'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] In response to the increase in false and manipulated information (fake news) due to the rise in non-face-to-face communication after the COVID-19 pandemic, the government is creating a citizen-participatory fact-checking platform. Media education will also be expanded nationwide to bridge the digital divide.

On the 27th, the Korea Communications Commission and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the "Comprehensive Plan to Strengthen Digital Media Communication Competency." The government explained, "Since COVID-19, the use of digital media such as SNS and Over-The-Top (OTT) online video services has surged, but individual isolation and community disintegration have accelerated, social and economic inequalities among vulnerable groups have deepened, and dysfunctions such as the spread of false information and cyber violence have also increased."

Accordingly, 12 detailed tasks will be pursued under four major strategic tasks: ▲ expanding online and offline media education infrastructure ▲ strengthening citizens' digital media production capabilities ▲ enhancing media information discernment skills ▲ spreading considerate and participatory digital citizenship.

First, a fact-checking open platform involving direct citizen participation will be established and operated, and education on understanding algorithms of SNS and YouTube will be provided to improve digital content utilization skills. Fact-checking civic education will be expanded, and advanced training will be conducted so that experts in various fields can act as professional fact-checkers. Ethics education will be strengthened for identity establishment, communication, and social participation in digital spaces, and programs to prevent digital dysfunctions such as cyber violence and hate speech will be implemented.

Expansion of media education hub facilities nationwide, such as Viewer Media Centers, will be promoted, and facilities and equipment will be provided free of charge so that anyone can produce and experience media. Media education institutes will be developed as specialized institutions for teacher training, and school media education centers will be newly established to strengthen support for educational sites where remote classes have become full-scale. Dispersed media education-related information will be gathered, shared, and opened on an online media education platform.

To improve media literacy across all generations, customized education by life cycle will be implemented, and school media education linked to programs such as the Free Semester System and High School Credit System will be increased. Visiting education will be expanded targeting rural areas and marginalized groups, and education for nurturing one-person media creators will also be provided. Korea Communications Commission Chairman Han Sang-hyuk said, "We will expand media education and strengthen infrastructure so that all citizens can acquire digital media utilization skills, which have become even more important in a non-face-to-face society, and we will provide meticulous support so that no one is excluded from the benefits of media education."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.