Naver to Verify News Algorithm Amid 'Fairness Controversy'

At the results announcement meeting of the Naver News Algorithm Review Committee held on the 29th at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, Chairman Maeng Seong-hyun, Professor of Computer Science at KAIST (center), Committee Member Kim Yong-chan (left), and Committee Member Jang Yoon-geum are answering questions from the press. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Naver is forming a review committee composed of external experts to verify its 'news algorithm.'

According to Naver on the 17th, it will soon establish the ‘News Algorithm Review Committee’ to verify the arrangement principles and impacts of its news algorithm, AiRS. However, specific details such as the committee’s launch timing, duration of activities, and number of members have not yet been decided.

A Naver official said regarding the committee formation, "We have recently received many questions related to the news algorithm, so the purpose is to have it reviewed through the committee," adding, "We have formed committees when deemed necessary depending on the issue in the past."

In fact, in 2018, Naver formed a 'News Algorithm Review Committee' consisting of 11 experts from three fields: computer engineering, informatics, and journalism, to verify whether there was any artificial intervention in the algorithm. At that time, the committee concluded, "Overall, there was nothing negative regarding public interest and transparency."

However, controversies over the fairness of the news algorithm have continued since then. In September last year, the 'Kakao news editing pressure text message' incident involving Representative Yoon Young-chan of the Democratic Party raised suspicions of manipulation of news algorithms on portal sites. Recently, a media outlet reported that an analysis of Naver’s news algorithm showed it recommended news centered on conservative media, sparking controversy.

A Naver official explained, "Since news is arranged according to AI algorithms, there is absolutely no human intervention," and added, "Also, the algorithm operates by learning users’ consumption patterns and does not classify media bias."

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