People Power Party Criticizes 'MBC Essay Test'... "Media Outlet Commits Secondary Harm"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Amid controversy over a question in the MBC new reporter essay exam that can be interpreted as secondary harm to the victim of sexual harassment by former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, the People Power Party criticized, saying, "Teach junior journalists the right path."

Hwang Gyu-hwan, deputy spokesperson, said in a statement on the 14th, "A media company that should maintain neutrality and fairness can only be seen as intending to verify and select journalists depending on how they refer to the issue by posing a question that has the potential for secondary harm."

Earlier, the MBC new reporter essay exam included a question asking whether the person who raised the sexual harassment issue against former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon should be called a 'victim' or a 'person appealing for harm,' sparking controversy over secondary harm.

Deputy spokesperson Hwang pointed out, "It is suspicious that this issue, which is already clearly a 'victim,' was brought up again and made into a point of contention on a public broadcast, of all places," adding, "There must have been a clear reason for choosing this issue among numerous current affairs."

He said, "It is shameful when journalists taking their first steps are told to always stand on the side of the weak and view matters based on 'victim-centeredness,' yet this is not even done," and added, "The person who created the question and those involved should be held accountable and apologize to the public as the minimum duty."

Lawmaker Han Mu-kyung from the same party also pointed out on Facebook, "I am at a loss for words at the reality where ruthless violence against individuals in our society is taking place," stating, "The 'whistleblower' regarding the Ministry of Justice minister's son's military issue is being indiscriminately exposed by real name online and being labeled as a criminal, and the sexual violence victim of the Seoul mayor is suffering again due to secondary harm by the media."

He said, "In a society where an individual's life and basic human rights are not protected, no one is safe," and added, "We must question and hold accountable the National Assembly members and media, who should protect individual rights and lives more than anyone else, for denying this situation."

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