Chapter 10: Media Ethics Flashcards
What is the golden rule?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
What is the golden mean? Who coined it?
Aristotle. When making ethical decision, one must find the “middle-way”. Balance between two extremes is the most ethical way.
What is categorical imperative? Who coined it?
Kant. Intent is the importance of ethical choice. Act for benefit of others, not for personal gain.
What is utilitarianism?
It is not about your intent but about the consequences of the choice. It assumes the most ethical/ right action is what does the greatest good to the greatest number of people?
What is the veil of ignorance (social justice)? Who coined it?
John Rawls. Fairness is the fundamental ideal behind justice. However, in a complex modern society it is often difficult to establish what is fair, since some groups have greater wealth, power, and advantages than others. Rawl’s advocates that the parties step behind a “veil of ignorance” in which they are no longer in their usual roles. They must stake out an original position on the issue, not knowing what role they would have after it is decided.
What are the ethics of care?
Feminist ethics. Emphasizes importance of relationships, caring for oneself and for others within context of the relationship in real life, not abstract. The one caring and the one caring for.
What are discourse ethics? Who coined it?
Jurgen Habermas. Communication is at the foundation of how we understand the world and the act of communication itself, when practiced without bias or coercion is an ethical act brought about through the process of rational interaction or argument. He proposes several actions for participants in discourse, a formalized discussion in which all affected parties’ ideas are heard and considered on their own merits - not based on outside powers. Discourse ethics works well in an organization win which there are disagreements on proper course of action. Letting people come to a shared and consensual understanding of what is true and correct.
What is dialogue ethics?
A system in which ethics can be judged by the attitudes and behaviors demonstrated by each participant in a communication transaction. In dialogical ethics, we do not try to force our own agenda, but strive for open and honest dialogue that accepts others views without judgement.
What is moral relativism?
Behaviors considered wrong in one control may be considered perfectly normal in another culture. One weakness of this theory is that it leaves no agreed upon rules.
What is the Potter Box?
It provides framework in which to analyze a situation, separating facts from opinions and taking into account those individuals affected by a given ethical situation.
What are the four steps of the Potter Box?
- Definition: All facts/issues arising in a situation
- Values: Aesthetic, professional, logical, moral, socioculture
- Principles: Ethical philosophies or modes of reasoning that may be applicable to facts/ situations
- Loyalties: Whom the decision-maker has loyalties or allegiances to
What is the SPJ?
Society of Professional Journalists. They are a large organization that tries to ensure that journalism is being practiced professionally and ethically and that it is fulfilling it role in society.
What is ethical consumerism?
A kind of consumer activism in which consumers buy only products that they believe are produced ethically.
What is greenwashing?
The practice of companies making themselves or their products appear to be organic, environmentally friendly, or supportive of free trade when in fact they are not
What are the three ways conflicts of interest can arise?
- Individuals within an agency may find it unethical to help companies that sell products that harm the public.
- If an agency works for two competing companies.
- Loyalty to client and the actual qualities of the product
