Ethics & The Media

1. Ethics & The Media Com 160

2. Ethical issues in Journalism • Ethical limits on free speech. • Public Safety • (libel / slander)

3. (Journalism) • Obscenity- material where the ______ _______ as a whole appeals to prurient interest. • Roth v US (1957) • Average person rule • Miller v CA (1973) • Printing and selling

4. (Journalism) • Indecency – material that is patently _______ as measured by contemporary community standards • Rules apply differently to broadcast TV vs Cable/Satellite TV/Satellite radio • On the internet? • Children’s Internet Protection Act • Schools & libraries –> _____ software

5. (Journalism) • Accuracy • Evidence • Quotes • Hypothetical individuals • Create/Manipulate Photos • Jeopardizing a “scoop” • Check facts • _____ sources must confirm

6. (Journalism) • Fairness • Choices about what to ______ • Choices about being unfairly ______ of the subject of a story. • Choices about disclosing ________ that may be a conflict of interest. • Commercialism • If it bleeds, it _____ • Staging visuals? • Pressure to improve ______ • Sensationalism during “sweeps”

7. (Journalism) • Press release journalism • Ombudsman • Represents the _____, alerts the newspaper to complaints, investigates them, recommends action (sometimes) • >40 newspapers

8. 1947 Hutchinson Commission • Whomever enjoys a special measure of freedom, like that of a professional journalist, has an obligation to society to use their freedom and powers responsibly. • Society’s welfare is paramount, more important than individ careers or even individ rights.

9. Hutchinson Commission Guidelines • Present meaningful _____, accurate and separated from opinion. • Serve as a forum for the exchg of comment & criticsim & to expand access to ____ pts of view. • Project a ____ picture of the constituent groups in society by avoiding the stereotypes & incl minority grps • Clarify the ___ & ____ of society. • Give broad coverage of what is known about society.