Ethics and
Media Ethics
Adapted by
Dr. Mike Downing
from
News Reporting
and Writing,
Eighth Edition
What are “Ethics”?
Ethics
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A discipline that deals with moral duty
and obligation
Principles of conduct governing an
individual or a group
A guiding philosophy
What groups have ethical codes?
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Teachers?
• Bankers?
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Firemen?
• Lawyers?
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Social Workers?
Doctors?
•Real Estate Agents?
• Professional Athletes?
•Farmers?
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Journalists?
Do Ethics Matter?
WHY OR WHY NOT?
Utilitarianism
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The greatest good for the greatest
number.
Places public good over private good
Possibly harmful to minorities and
individuals, who are sacrificed for the
majority
The ends justify the means
Ethical Relativism
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Ethical standards depend on the individual,
the group, the culture, tradition, background
For example, American culture attempts to
treat men and women as equals, while people
in other countries may see the issue
differently.
Argument against: Just because one class of
individuals does something, doesn't mean it's
right
Kantian Ethics
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Kantian ethics is based upon the teachings of the philosopher,
Immanuel Kant (1724–1804). According to Kant, the concept
of “motive” is the most important factor in determining what
is ethical. More specifically, Kant argued that a moral action is
one that is performed out of a “sense of duty.”
For Kant, a moral action is not based upon feelings or pity.
Nor is it is not based on the possibility of reward. Instead, a
moral action is one based on a sense of “This is what I ought
to do.”
To use an example, with Kantian ethics helping an old lady
across the street because you feel pity for her is NOT a moral
act. Likewise, helping an old lady because your coworker will
think highly of you is NOT a moral act. However, helping an
old lady because you have a sense of duty to help the elderly
IS a moral act.
Christian Ethics
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Love God
Love Your Neighbor
The Guide of Conscience
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Is conscience natural or developed?
“Obedient Love”
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Based on scripture
Media Ethics
From Wikipedia:
Media ethics is the subdivision of applied ethics
dealing with the specific ethical principles and
standards of media, including broadcast media,
film, theatre, the arts, print media and the
internet. The field covers many varied and highly
controversial topics, ranging from war journalism
to Benetton advertising.
Censorship
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Should a newspaper ever be censored?
Why or why not?
If so, who should have that right?
What about national security?
What about the right of “the people” to
“know”?
Conflicts of Interest
Is it ever ethically correct to do journalism-related work
outside your journalism job, whether paid or donated?
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A reporter at the Times-Picayune in New Orleans, Louisiana
(U.S.) questions the credibility of a local television broadcaster
who is on-camera in some of her husband's television ads
promoting him for public office.
A Time magazine article delves into the ethically questionable
relationship between fashion editors and designers. The article
reports that many fashion journalists receive thousands of
dollars worth of free clothing and other perks.
What's the big concern? Why do journalists and why should our
audiences care whether we make money on the side if we are
careful to keep the desires and interests of our several
employers separate?
Paparazzi
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Should paparazzi be restricted in any
way?
By Hannah Asomaning, journalist for the Ghana News Agency,
calls paparazzi “A new breed of unprofessional and quack
journalists [who are] are tearing apart the ethics of the profession.”
Conglomeration
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Should private companies be allowed to
own as many newspapers, magazines,
radio stations, and television stations as
they like?
Grant Buckler of the World press Institute: “Late in 2001, CanWest
Global management announced plans to supply a corporate editorial,
written at company headquarters in Winnipeg, to all daily newspapers in
the chain once a week. Newspapers must run these editorials, and
locally written editorials may not contradict positions established in the
national ones.”
Photo Manipulation
Is it ever ethical to publish an altered photo without
indicating that the photo has been altered?
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National Union of Journalists:
No journalist shall knowingly cause or allow the
publication or broadcast of a photograph that has
been manipulated unless that photograph is clearly
labeled as such. Manipulation does not include
normal dodging, burning, color balancing, spotting,
contrast adjustment, cropping and obvious masking
for legal or safety reasons.
Websites
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http://www.poynter.org/
http://www.mediaethicsmagazine.com/
http://www.ethicsweb.ca/resources/media/index.html
Questions?