Issue Institutional mechanisms for balanced media coverage of Korea-Japan relations

Summary

The report stresses that the media play a crucial role in the long-term development of Korea-Japan relations, since public sentiment, a key factor shaping the relationship, tends to be driven by news coverage. On history and territorial disputes that strongly affect the relationship, media in both countries are urged to strengthen fact-based, balanced information and context-focused in-depth reporting. Coverage that sensationalizes the relationship and seeks commercial gain by riding distorted patriotism and narrow nationalism should be corrected. Because repeated calls for self-improvement by media outlets and journalists have not produced the expected results, the report proposes institutional arrangements such as a provisional Korea-Japan media coverage monitoring committee of journalists and experts that would regularly publish its findings. It also suggests co-developing a Korea-Japan future journalism curriculum at leading universities and expanding exchanges among young journalists.