EJ Preface and Introduction
It is hard to comprehend all the changes journalism has gone through since this book was first released in 2001. As a senior journalism student, I can acknowledge my experience would have been extremely different without Google News, Twitter and WordPress.
The power of blogs cannot be underestimated. With the progression toward a “we media,” there are questions surrounding what constitutes a journalist. An October article from the Huffington Post created a potential framework for a definition. I think the most crucial point for determining whether someone’s work is journalism is if the author has contributed analysis or creativity.
When I was enrolled in law of mass communication, I learned an idea cannot be copyrighted, but the expression of that idea can be copyrighted. I cannot say I own the copyright to all stories about the Gainesville mayor. However, if I wrote a story investigating the mayor being charged with a DUI and what this means for our community, I could copyright this story. Adding insight and analysis should count for something because in our fast-paced world, people are often quick to regurgitate information and call it news.
A journalist is someone who provides news in an analytical or creative fashion to an audience. This profession requires accountability to readers and viewers. Journalists can enhance the communication between themselves and the audience by providing information about where they can be contacted, such as an email address. To be in this profession, journalists must be tenacious and dedicated to covering all aspects of a story. Journalists are communicators of fact, and they must do everything in their power to report in an objective manner.
In a world where we “hunger for awareness,” different media platforms are home to stories waiting to be discovered. I try to begin each morning watching “Good Morning America” because I like to start my day with an overview of what has taken place in the world around me. This knowledge allows me to discuss the issues of the day with my family and co-workers. My dad is a big fan of Governor Chris Christie, so it was interesting to hear his perspective on the traffic scandal.
ME Chapter One
As an indecisive person, I know making these ethical decisions will be difficult. It takes me 30 minutes to choose a movie on Netflix. Putting aside what is morally right or wrong, I am worried about selecting a choice that is good when there is a better or best solution out there.
As an intern at the UF Foundation, I have access to information that would be unethical to release. However, I have never been asked by a supervisor to do something unethical. I hope discussing these scenarios will help with my overall decision making for when I am put in these situations.
The distinction between ethics and morals is something I need to work on understanding. In my original definition of ethics for this course, I said ethics are based on a moral foundation.
Ethics pertain to duties and values. As journalists, we have a duty to report the news. Members of the audience hold us accountable for what we broadcast and write.
In addition to reporting on news that is timely and prominent, we also have a duty to obtain our material in an ethical and legal manner. How would it look if we obtained quotes and leads based on hacking people’s phones and computers? This behavior may be morally wrong, but it is also unethical because it is irrational behavior that is not widely agreed upon.
Upon learning about the various guidelines and principles for approaching an ethical dilemma, Bok’s Model seems to provide the most well rounded analysis. It takes into account how you personally feel about the action, whether there are other alternatives and also takes into consideration how others will respond.
United Way Case Study
The case study about the United Way introduces a lot of issues, including duty as a journalist to tell the truth, credibility of the news organization, implications for the relationship with a source, the possibility of irreversible damage to someone’s career and harm to the community. I look to the principle of utilitarianism that emphasizes the outcome. With this view, a decision may cause pain for one person but be the best decision for the larger group of people. Taking this into consideration, I would reveal the truth for why the executive director is departing. I would also include ways the United Way is preventing a situation like this from ever happening again. Quotes from board members reassuring the public about all the positive efforts being funded with donations would be essential. While I do feel guilty about possibly jeopardizing future employment options for the executive director, work at a nonprofit may not be the right place for him.
Case Study 1-A – Application of Bok’s Model and Five Guidelines for Making Ethical Decisions
Upon seeing this Pulitzer-Prize winning photo, I had a pit in my stomach that it ended in tragedy. I give credit to Stanley Forman for pursuing a different angle, but I also support his decision to not photograph the two girls following their fall.
Bok’s Model
How do you feel about the action?
I think more attention should be brought to fire escapes in Boston and whether they are durable and in working order. A picture is worth 1,000 words, and I think this photo could rally support to improve the safety of fire escapes so this never happens again.
Is there another professionally acceptable way to achieve the same goal that will not raise ethical issues?
An article could be written about the fire and tragedy without the photo. However, people may not pay as much attention. This photo shows the last few moments of a 19-year-old girl’s life. Words on a page may not be able to speak to the gravity of this tragedy.
How will others respond to the proposed act?
Some readers may criticize the paper for including a photo like this because it exhibits an imminent death. Others will applaud the news organization for bringing attention to an issue that has been affecting the oldest areas of the city. You can never make everyone happy, but I think publishing the photo would be the best course of action.
Aristotle’s Golden Mean
I am still struggling with understanding the Aristotelian framework, but I think publishing this photo lies between not wanting to include the photo for fear of reader outrage and including other more gruesome photos. Showcasing this heartbreaking photo lies at the mean of these two extremes that would be unacceptable. Again, I would publish the photo.
Kant’s Categorical Imperative
If I were to publish this photo, would I be okay with other news organizations doing the same? Putting aside the issue of competition, I think this image should be shared to spread awareness. However, Kant emphasizes treating individuals as an end and not as merely a means. It could be claimed that I would be publishing this photo as a means to lead a change in fire escape safety. Taking this into consideration, I would not publish the photo.
Utilitarianism
By releasing this photo, people in power would see how serious of a problem this is. Reform could be made so this never happens again. The greatest number of people would benefit by me publishing this photo. Considering utilitarianism and its emphasis on the outcome that benefits the largest group of people, I would publish the photo.
Pluralistic Theory of Value
I would consider the prima facie duties based on what seems to be right. I would consider a duty of not injuring others because publication could lead to preventative measures. This photo could cause additional pain for family and friends of the two girls, but I would also consider my duty to justice. By publishing this photo, their deaths would not be in vain. The duty proper must also be considered. Based on the circumstances and the attention that should be devoted to this problem, I would publish the photo
Communitarianism
As an individual I must consider how my decisions impact other members of my community. This guideline is critical of sensationalistic tactics because they might provide a false view of what is happening in the community. However, this photo would not be published with the sole aim of making money or attracting readers. The photo could be accompanied with contact information for local officials and details about fire escape safety. Publishing this photo could result in the community discovering this problem and determining a solution that leads to change.
Discussion Question
If your ethics differ from those of a company you are working for, do you complete the work they ask you to do?
The third scenario about the PR professional working with PharMedCo made me wonder what I would do. PharMedCo is withholding information that could result in injury or death to consumers. However, you are being paid to perform a particular task. As an employee, you could lose your job and ability to support your family. The pluralistic theory of value with the competing duties could be helpful in this situation.
Link to Ethical Issue of the Week
When Matt Sheehan brought up drones at the introductory meeting for members of the WUFT news team, I assumed he was joking. However, he showed a video of Weimer Hall recorded by the drone. The Federal Aviation Administration is taking a hard stance on the operation of drones for commercial purposes, including their use for journalism. The University of Nebraska at Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications and the University of Missouri School of Journalism received cease-and-desist letters in July. I am hoping Amazon can lead the way for other commercial entities flying drones. Drones have the power to change journalism across the world and even right here in our backyard at the UF College of Journalism and Communications.
Link to Ethical Issue of the Week
I have been following the heartbreaking story of Jahi McMath after she was pronounced dead following a tonsillectomy. Stories related to brain death and vegetative states have received a lot of coverage since the case of Terri Schiavo. These stories bring up a lot of emotions because people do not want to say goodbye to their loved ones, especially after tragic accidents. Until reading this article, I was unaware of the differences associated with a minimally conscious state, vegetative state, coma and brain death. McMath experienced brain death, where there is an “irreversible cessation of all activity in both the brain and the brain stem.” According to one doctor, her body will continue to break down. The Greeks said ethics “was the study of what is good, both for the individual and for society.” I think McMath should be removed from the ventilator because there is no chance for her to recover brain activity. It is unethical for medical professionals to pump air into a corpse at the emotional and financial expense of her family.
Questions from Dr. Rodgers – Vocabulary Terms
- Ethics vs. Morals: Ethics pertains to a rational process based on certain principles that are agreed upon by society as a whole. Morals are typically associated with religion with a focus on right and wrong.
- Aristotle’s Golden Mean: Virtue lies between extremes that vary for each individual. For example, generosity is located between the extremes of stinginess and wastefulness. This principle focuses on the actor.
- Kant’s Categorical Imperative: The two parts of this principle include a person should act as if the choices made could become universal law, and a person should act with an emphasis on the ends, not just the means. This principle focuses on the action not the particular actor involved.
- Utilitarianism: A desirable end for the greatest number. An act may hurt one person, but it may be the best decision for the larger group. There is an emphasis on the outcome.
- Pluralistic Theory of Value: Various values are involved in making ethical decisions. These types of duties include considerations of fidelity, reparation, gratitude, etc. Reaching a decision about actual duties must take into consideration what seems right and the specific circumstances.
- Communitarianism: Decisions are evaluated based on how they will influence greater society. This idea has been linked with the civic journalism movement.
Cassie Vangellow, cvangellow@ufl.edu
Vangellow, Cassie 