Broadcast News and the Role of Journalism: Korea-U.S. Perspective

Lecture in Korean

Image generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI (2025)

Hyunwoo Kim, News Reporter and Anchor, SBS

Wednesday, November 19, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Bunche Hall, Rm 10383

In the modern era, people can access virtually any information they want through countless channels. Unlike in the past, when news could only be consumed at specific times, today’s audiences can check updates around the clock. As the number of channels has multiplied, anyone can now communicate directly with the public. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has further accelerated this transformation. Yet, as convenience has increased, so have its side effects. In an environment flooded with misinformation, audiences are indiscriminately exposed, and the resulting harm continues to expand.
The press must therefore fulfill not only its function of delivering news but also its social responsibility. News can significantly shape public perception and even influence collective behavior. When unverified or distorted information is reported, it can trigger social division and instability. Every editorial decision can directly affect public trust and perceptions of fairness. As public trust in traditional media continues to waver, the ethical role of journalism have, paradoxically, become more essential than ever.
In this context, this talk examines how broadcast news is produced in Korea, analyzing each stage of the process through the lens of journalism’s social role. It also compares how Korean and American media approach sensitive topics such as suicide and disaster reporting. Mr. Hyunwoo Kim will explore how each country’s media institutions establish and follow their own ethical standards. Through this comparison, he aims to reflect on how journalism can serve not merely as a transmitter of information but as a public institution with moral and civic responsibility.

Special Instructions
Event is exclusive to CKS Visiting Scholars, graduate/undergraduate students, and faculty

Sponsor(s): Center for Korean Studies