Ethics

1. Ethics

5. Publicizing shootings? • Putting the faces and names of shooters on the front page—good or bad? • Does it encourage more shootings and copycats?

6. “America puts killers on the cover of Time magazine, giving them as much notoriety as our favorite movie stars. From Jesse James to Charles Manson, the media, since their inception, have turned criminals into folk heroes. • They just created two new ones when they plastered those dipshits Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris' pictures on the front of every newspaper. Don't be surprised if every kid who gets pushed around has two new idols.”

7. Categorical Imperative/Deontology • Certain actions are always wrong, regardless of circumstances of individual situations: lying, cheating, stealing, murder, etc. These are called “categorical imperatives.” • Right and wrong, not consequences. • A higher moral order (conscience) guides imperatives, rather than reason • What are some things that you think are categorically wrong?

8. Categorical Imperative - Examples • For example: One categorical imperative may be that lying is wrong. • Situations • Other examples?

9. Utilitarianism • Ethical choices produce the greatest good for the greatest number. • The ends justify the means. • Majority • Greatest balance of good over evil • Requires an accurate assessment of consequences of an action: mitigate harm

10. The Golden Mean • The ethical choice is found between extremes, avoiding excessive practices. Finding the middle ground. BUT “Extremes” must still be based on an appropriate range of choices. • This is best used when situations are complicated or layered with ambiguity and uncertainty. • Problem: not all issues have an appropriate middle ground or center.

11. The Golden Mean - Examples • A TV station teams up with a hospital and a drug chain to promote a mass community health screening. It can be for cholesterol, colorectal cancer, vision, glucose or even drinking water.

12. The Veil Of IgnoranceSocial Justice/Egalitarianism • “Justice is blind.” • Looking at situations regardless of social or economic status • Put yourself in their shoes. • Fairness is considered a principle of justice • Egalitarianism is paramount • For example: Should you report on a politician who is rumored to be having an affair?

13. Veil of Ignorance - Examples • After a shooting spree at Standard Gravure by one of the printing company's former employees, The Courier-Journal published a front-page photograph of one of the victims. The photograph showed the dead victim lying on his back at the bottom of the stairs, his arms spread out and his body partially resting on a track used to move large rolls of paper. The photograph prompted more than 500 complaints and a lawsuit - won by The Courier-Journal - that went all the way to the Supreme Court.  • Readers quickly let the newspaper know that they disagreed and did not appreciate the vivid reminder of the previous day’s events on the front page of their morning paper.

14. Agape/Judeo Christian/Care-Based •  “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Other-directed care and love. Based on relationships. Personal instead of legal ethics. • For example: Someone practicing Agape ethics might not print a rape victim’s name just because they can. They care more about protecting and caring for the victim than getting a story.

15. Judeo-Christian Example • You’ve known for months that the candidate is gay. And each time you raised the possibility of a story, everyone agreed: the man’s sex life was his business. • But now it’s different. A local newscast led with a story that highlighted the candidate’s activities with the local gay community. Even though the candidate "declined comment on his sexual preference," the story is undoubtedly out.

16. Potter Box

17. Potter Box: Situation • Photojournalism • Kevin Carter’s Sudanese girl • Written journalism • Showing faces/giving names of rape victims • Broadcast journalism • Fox news video

18. Potter Box: Values • Professional values • Moral values • Aesthetic values • Logical values • Socio-cultural values

19. Potter Box: Principles • Deontology/Categorical Imperative • Utilitarianism • Golden Mean • Veil of Ignorance • Agape

20. Potter Box:Loyalties • To whom do you owe your loyalty? • Citizens • Employers • Publications • Advertisers • Government • Those involved

21. Examples

22. Potter Box Examples • Duggar Family Miscarriage Photos • What is the situation? • What are the values involved in showing this image to the public? To taking this image as a “celebrity” family? What values does this image support or negate? • What are the principles involved? • What loyalties are involved? Who has a stake in these private photos being used/reprinted in the press?

23. Ethics Project • As a group, you will research an actual news story that was at the center of a journalistic ethical dilemma. You can choose which type of story you’d like to research – such as a sports, photo, political or crime story – as long as there is an ethical dilemma involved. You’ll analyze the situation using the various ethical theories we discuss in class. Then you’ll create a presentation about your dilemma, which you’ll present during lecture. • Turn in: • A PowerPoint presentation that summarizes/analyzes the ethical dilemma. • Each individual group member will write a one-page minimum, two-page double-spaced personal analysis of your group’s dilemma. • The group must turn in a quick run-down of who did what within each group.