Notes

Question 1

Why Study Ethics
News and Democracy:
what should news do in a democratic society?
this stems from?

Answer 1

• inform citizenry
• serve as watchdogs
• provide a diversity of ideas

first amendment

Question 2

Criticisms:
1.
2.
part of larger ?
-not as concerned about ? but instead ?
3.
4.

Answer 2

about target audience

• sensationalism / celebrity culture
• not about facts anymore about opinion (cable news)
• money: ratings
• first but not always correct or true

media conglomerates
-news/bottom line

private equity: goal to make money
-not concerned about the quality of journalism

outsourcing: all media and news looks the same

Question 3

Trust in news media ?
A lot of trust :
Some:
Not too much/none: 
so where do we turn to for news

Answer 3

decreased

• 21%
• 49%
• 29%

social media, alternate media , podcasts

Question 4

why study ethics: 
respond to 
join 
... protection 
awesome amounts of

Answer 4

criticism
debate
constitutional
power

Question 5

purpose of sound ethical reasoning:

Answer 5

draw responsible conclusions that yield justifiable actions

Question 6

news deserts

Answer 6

towns missing newspapers

Question 7

why look at ethical theories/ what people have said in the past ?
are any original ? 
easier to ?
1. what do we usually 
2. what? are involved 
3. who ?
4. is there a ?
5. do I have my ?

Answer 7

no
make decisions

1. do in cases like this
2. principles
3. wins and loses
4. better way
5. thumb on the scales

Question 8

1. what is important ?
2. ?
3. who is
4. have to think about
5. are my?

Answer 8

consistency (if not good reason for why not)
privacy, conflict of interest, something else ?
harmed
alternatives
personal beliefs getting in the way of me writing fairly

Question 9

History of Codes of Ethics:
Early 20th century what was abundant ? 
- what was it 
-Spanish american war was created by?
-muckrackers did what

Answer 9

yellow journalism and muckrackers

• sensationalism
• wanting to increase circulation
• went undercover to get stories

Question 10

Codes of ethics began in ?
what was created as a reaction to yellow journalism ?
-more focused on ?
-codes of?
-a belief that ?
-with great power comes

Answer 10

1920s 
Journalism schools 
-ethicality 
-ethics 
-responsibility is welcome partner to freedom of the press 
-great responsibility

Question 11

1923:
- first
- who and what ? (describe a little)
- voted for ? instead of ?

Answer 11

American Society of Newspaper Editors adopted Canons of Journalism

• national code advanced by journalism
• FG Bonfils publisher of Denver Post and Teapot Dome Scandal (1 mill. in bribes for suppressing info, govt. oil reserves being sold to private oil company)
• voluntary obedience rather than disciplinary action

Question 12

codes today 
still?
Opponents: 
-call codes 
-must be?
-what not what

Answer 12

self-censorship
general and vague
idealistic not realistic

Question 13

proponents

• attempt to recognize
• provide employees with a ?
• establish ?

Answer 13

values and principles
written notice of what is expected of them
common ground; let public know that org. is serious about ethics

Question 14

professional vs. institutional codes

professional: major professional org. have developed ?

Answer 14

formal codes: SJP , voluntary

Question 15

institutional codes: 
-
-
-
-

Answer 15

individual media institution codes 
-comprehensive 
-socialization
-neutrla standard 
usually enforceable

Question 16

SJP code

Answer 16

seek truth and report it
minimize harm
act independently
be accountable and transparent

Question 17

why arent codes enough ?
dont cover
sometimes
-need a ?

Answer 17

all issues
broken
justifiable reason to do so