Mockery is not journalism
For more than 22 years, MASTKD has gone through all kinds of circumstances within this micro-world that, for many of us, is a true universe: Taekwondo. And although from the beginning we embraced an editorial style that went beyond simple coverage—investigations, complaints, critical analysis, and exposure of injustices—it is also true that not all of our decisions were the right ones.
Claudio Antonio Aranda
CEO & Founder of MASTKD
WT Black Belt (6th Dan)
[email protected]
For more than 22 years, MASTKD has gone through all kinds of circumstances within this micro-world that, for many of us, is a true universe: Taekwondo. And although from the beginning we embraced an editorial style that went beyond simple coverage—investigations, complaints, critical analysis, and exposure of injustices—it is also true that not all of our decisions were the right ones.
Getting to the bottom of sensitive issues was part of our identity. Pointing out arbitrariness was always a duty. However, there were times when, driven by outrage at real situations in the sports world, we crossed lines that we should not have crossed. The use of images that mocked Dr. Chungwon Choue and exposed him as an object of public ridicule was an excess that exceeded the limits of journalistic ethics, and we must admit this.
2There were also occasions when we offended WT staff members by using descriptions or insinuations that had not been properly verified with multiple sources, as any serious journalism manual would require. In some cases, we allowed the urgency to report to overshadow the prudence necessary to verify and contextualize. Today, with hindsight, we can clearly state that this must not happen again.
MASTKD was never simply “a website” dedicated to Taekwondo. From its inception, it became a space where voices that often found no place in vertical structures could be heard. That role gave us an enormous responsibility. And that responsibility means being firm, yes, but never unfair; critical, but never disrespectful; rigorous, but never reckless.
Journalism is not mockery.
Journalism is not revenge.
And journalism cannot be confused with a public relations department.
A public relations outlet protects an image.
Journalism protects the public’s right to know, always supported by responsible verification, proportionality, and intellectual honesty. That difference—subtle to some, essential to us—is what must guide our editorial path.
Even the most prestigious media outlets in the world have made mistakes and had the maturity to review them publicly.
The New York Times and The Washington Post, for example, engaged in profound self-criticism regarding verification failures at critical moments in their recent history.
All things considered, these cases remind us that no media outlet is infallible, but serious media outlets are those that know how to adjust their course.
Similarly, I recognize that in some past editorials we did not emphasize clearly enough certain institutional achievements that WT has consolidated. The permanence of Taekwondo in the Olympic program under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee, the work with global organizations linked to the sport, inclusion, safety, development, and expansion policies are objective facts that contributed to the advancement of Taekwondo on different fronts and deserve a balanced view in any analysis.
Looking back is an act of maturity. It means accepting that indignation—even when born of legitimate motives—does not justify crossing the line between criticism and personal disqualification. It means remembering that the responsibility to inform requires more than passion: it requires method, rigor, contrast, and respect.
MASTKD emerged in an environment where criticism was almost non-existent. Where questioning power was seen as a threat. And along the way, we made mistakes. But we also learned.
Today we understand that firmness does not need cartoons.
That forcefulness does not require humiliation.
And that true journalistic courage is not measured by the volume of the offense, but by the quality of the evidence.
Our mission remains the same: to shine a light where others prefer darkness.
But we will do so with a higher, more rigorous, and more respectful standard. Because Taekwondo—its athletes, coaches, leaders, and global community—deserves serious, critical, courageous, and responsible journalism.
We are not writing this to please anyone or to undo what has been done.
We are doing so because we believe that we must apply the same standards to ourselves that we demand of those who manage our sport.
This is our self-criticism.
And it is also our commitment going forward.
MAS: Media About Sport.
TKD: Taekwondo.
MASTKD: Worldwide Leader on Taekwondo Information.
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