KBS Under Fire for Radio Misinformation

KBS has landed in hot water after incorrectly reporting details about the popular K-pop group NewJeans on a recent radio broadcast, prompting a swift and public apology from the network.

The Incident: A Radio Blunder

The controversy erupted during the August 8 episode of KBS 1 Radio's "Feeling Successful with Lee Dae Ho," where a panelist, a researcher from a securities company, made startlingly incorrect assertions regarding NewJeans' legal affairs and music releases.

The researcher mistakenly stated that NewJeans was officially part of ADOR, and that the group had begun releasing music under the name NJZ—claims that sent shockwaves through its fanbase.

Fans React: Outrage and Demands for Accountability

Listeners wasted no time voicing their displeasure on KBS's petition board, calling out the network for spreading unverified claims. Numerous petitions emerged, with fans demanding not only a correction but also measures to ensure such errors don’t happen again.

KBS Takes Responsibility

In response to the backlash, KBS promptly publicly apologized on both the program’s homepage and its YouTube channel. The network took additional steps by editing or removing the problematic segments from their recordings and deleting related articles.

KBS stated, "During a discussion on the state of the entertainment industry, inaccurate comments were made regarding NewJeans' lawsuit and music releases. We deeply regret any confusion we caused to NewJeans, their fans, and our listeners."

Looking Ahead: Commitment to Improved Standards

KBS assured the public that it will enhance its internal verification processes and adhere more strictly to broadcasting standards to prevent similar incidents in the future. This step aims to restore trust among their audience and reinforce the accuracy of their broadcasts.