Ethical issues

Question 1

One ethical view, called realism, thinks ethical principles

Answer 1

One ethical view, called realism, thinks ethical principles describe external ethical “facts”
that can be objectively known, the way that true scientific statements describe the facts of nature

Question 2

Another view, pragmatism (Putnam, 1995) thinks ethical principles are

Answer 2

Another view, pragmatism (Putnam, 1995) thinks ethical principles are
practical proposals on how to act.

Question 3

Ethics is about .

Answer 3

Ethics is about the rules we should agree to follow so as to
promote fair social cooperation.

Question 4

In our time, ethics has come to include such issues
as

Answer 4

In our time, ethics has come to include such issues
as animal cruelty, violence against women, the environment, and the rights of gay and trans-gendered
individuals. Ethical reflection is ever-evolving

Question 5

Ethics is typically divided into

Answer 5

Ethics is typically divided into a theoretical and applied part, although in reality both parts
are involved in ethical thinking.

Question 6

Theoretical ethics refers to

Answer 6

Theoretical ethics refers to philosophical meta-theories
such as
realism, anti-realism,
relativism, emotivism, and contractualism (Ward, 2011).

Question 7

Historically, applied ethics has been a debate between three dominant approaches:

Answer 7

Historically, applied ethics has been a debate between three dominant approaches: (1) the ethic
of pursuing the best consequences overall (e.g., utilitarianism); (2) a “deontic” ethic that makes
the protection of rights and the performance of duties prior to considerations of consequences
and utility; and (3) an ethic of virtue that emphasizes the importance of moral character. Goods,
rights, and virtues—these
are the three great themes of ethics.

Question 8

The questions can be large or “macro” dealing with

Answer 8

The questions can be large or “macro” dealing with the media system as a
whole. For example, we can ask how well media systems inform the public, who owns the media,
and how the news media cover minorities or global issues? Are journalists helping citizens be
an informed, self-governing
public? The questions can be specific or “micro” dealing with what
individual journalists should do in particular situations.

Question 9

Traditionally, the problem areas have been:

Answer 9

Traditionally, the problem areas have been:
* Accuracy and verification: How much verification and context is required to publish a
story? How much editing and “gate-keeping”
is necessary?
* Independence and allegiances: How can journalists be independent but maintain ethical
relations with their employers, editors, advertisers, sources, police, and the public. When
is a journalist too close to a source or in a conflict of interest?
* Deception and fabrication: Should journalists misrepresent themselves or use recording
technology, such as hidden cameras, to get a story? Should literary journalists invent dialogue
or create composite “characters”?
* Graphic images and image manipulation: When should journalists publish graphic or
gruesome images? When do published images constitute sensationalism or exploitation?
When and how should images be altered?
* Sources and confidentiality: Should journalists promise confidentiality to sources? How
far does that protection extend? Should journalists go “off the record”?
* Special situations: How should journalists report hostage-takings,
major breaking news,
suicide attempts, and other events where coverage could exacerbate the problem? When
should journalists violate privacy?
Therefore, a question about journalism

Question 10

However, it could be claimed
that the most important development occurred

Answer 10

However, it could be claimed
that the most important development occurred not in the realm of theory but in the area of practice,
especially the technology of practice.

Question 11

2000s, digital media was praised as populist, as

Answer 11

2000s, digital media was praised as populist, as ending the information control
of elite mainstream news media. Prevailing journalistic ideals of neutrality, strict verification,
and “just the facts” gave way to values of immediacy, sharing, and opining.

Question 12

became clear that “sharing”

Answer 12

became clear that “sharing” could be
undemocratic, used by elites in government, public relations, or the military

Question 13

Here are the new issues that dominate journalism ethics:
*

Answer 13

Here are the new issues that dominate journalism ethics:
* Questions of identity: If citizens and non-professional
journalists report and analyze events
around the world, who is a journalist?
* Questions about scope: If everyone is potentially a publisher, does journalism ethics apply
to everyone? If so, how does that change the nature and teaching of journalism ethics?
* Questions about content: What are the most appropriate principles, approaches, and purposes
for digital journalism ethics? For example, is news objectivity still a valid ideal?
* Questions about new journalism: How can new forms of journalism, e.g., nonprofit journalism
or entrepreneurial journalism, maintain standards such as editorial independence?
* Questions about community engagement: What ethical norms should guide the use of
citizen content and newsroom partnerships with external groups?
* Questions about global impact: Should journalists see themselves as global communicators?
How do journalists reconcile their patriotic values with their duty to humanity and to
address global issues from multiple perspectives?
* Questions about amplification of intolerant voices and fake news: How should journalists
cover the actions of intolerant groups and avoid being the purveyors of false facts and fake
news?