Showing papers in "Journal of Mass Media Ethics in 2007"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider contemporary challenges to institutional roles in a digital media environment and then turn to three broad journalistic normative values (authenticity, accountability, and autonomy) that affect the credibility of journalists and the content they provide.
Abstract: When everyone can be a publisher, what distinguishes the journalist? This article considers contemporary challenges to institutional roles in a digital media environment and then turns to three broad journalistic normative values—authenticity, accountability, and autonomy—that affect the credibility of journalists and the content they provide. A set of questions that can help citizens determine the trustworthiness of information available to them emerges from the discussion.
191 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue that Stewart and Colbert are imitators who do not fully inhabit the role of a journalist, and that their performances are neither motivated nor constrained by these moral commitments, and they suggest that this distinction between journalists and their imitator is morally significant because it implies differences in the kinds of excellence these moral agents are pursuing in their work.
Abstract: Some have suggested that Jon Stewart of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (TDS) and Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report (TCR) represent a new kind of journalist. We propose, rather, that Stewart and Colbert are imitators who do not fully inhabit the role of journalist. They are interesting because sometimes they do a better job performing the functions of journalism than journalists themselves. However, Stewart and Colbert do not share journalists' moral commitments. Therefore, their performances are neither motivated nor constrained by these commitments. Using a virtue theory framework, we suggest that this distinction between journalists and their imitators is morally significant because it implies differences in the kinds of excellence these moral agents are pursuing in their work. Rather than evaluating the work of Colbert and Stewart in the role of journalists, we propose analyzing their contributions to media ethics in the role of media critics.
138 citations
TL;DR: The authors argues that the notion of transparency requires reconsideration as an essence of ethical agency and provides a brief explication of the concept of transparency, rooted in the principle of human dignity of Immanuel Kant, and suggests that it has been inadequately appreciated by media ethics scholars and instructors.
Abstract: This study argues that the notion of transparency requires reconsideration as an essence of ethical agency. It provides a brief explication of the concept of transparency, rooted in the principle of human dignity of Immanuel Kant, and suggests that it has been inadequately appreciated by media ethics scholars and instructors more focused on relatively simplistic applications of his categorical imperative. This study suggests that the concept's Kantian roots raise a radical challenge to conventional understandings of human interaction and, by extension, what it means to exercise freedom.
103 citations
TL;DR: This paper explore the marginalized practice of sportswriting to demonstrate the limited ways in which the question "who is a journalist?" has been answered within the profession. But they also argue that sport writing fundamentally resembles other forms of reporting and that journalism should not use sports as an ethical straw man against which to defend the virtue of its serious work.
Abstract: This paper explores the marginalized practice of sportswriting to demonstrate the limited ways in which the question “who is a journalist?” has been answered within the profession. Following John Dewey and Raymond Williams, we offer an alternative view of democratic culture that values narrative as well as information. We also discuss how “New Journalists” (and other writers since), in their quest for fresh, sophisticated storytelling strategies, turned to sports as a cultural activity worthy of serious examination. Our goal is to demonstrate that sportswriting fundamentally resembles other forms of reporting and that journalism should not use sports as an ethical straw man against which to defend the virtue of its serious work. This suspension of our usual ethical judgments would deepen our sense of the moral significance of sportswriting and allow us to rethink journalism's relation to democratic culture in productive new ways.
69 citations
TL;DR: This article draws upon new communication technology ethics scholarship and an exploratory survey of bloggers to propose a code of blog ethics that recognizes interactivity and the importance of prioritizing the human element in computer-mediated communication as the core values in blogging ethics.
Abstract: The increasing popularity of blogs and blogging, as well as their integration into the mainstream media mix, has sparked an ongoing discussion of whether a code of blog ethics is necessary or even feasible. In this article, I draw upon new communication technology ethics scholarship and an exploratory survey of bloggers to propose such a code. This code, unlike previous proposals, recognizes interactivity and the importance of prioritizing the human element in computer-mediated communication as the core values in blogging ethics.
54 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue that the weaknesses in utilitarianism articulated by Ross and others direct us at this stage to a dialogic ethics of duty instead, which is rooted in the dialogic relation that enable us to start over intellectually.
Abstract: Utilitarianism has dominated media ethics for a century. For Mill, individual autonomy and neutrality are the foundations of his On Liberty and System of Logic, as well as his Utilitarianism. These concepts fit naturally with media ethics theory and professional practice in a democratic society. However, the weaknesses in utilitarianism articulated by Ross and others direct us at this stage to a dialogic ethics of duty instead. Habermas's discourse ethics, feminist ethics, and communitarian ethics are examples of duty ethics rooted in the dialogic relation that enable us to start over intellectually.
54 citations
TL;DR: The authors examines the ethics and ethos of development journalism as a philosophically, culturally, and historically evolving professional ideology and surveys the ethical landscape of development journalists and shows how development journalists balance the dialectic of a universalist ethical philosophy and a relativistic professional ethos.
Abstract: Journalistic practice and professionalism across the globe are characterized by certain universals as well as unique particularities. In most post-colonial societies, the ethical philosophies and professional ethos of journalists reflect the tension between the commitment to integrity and social responsibility, shared by journalists worldwide, and the contextual interpretation and application of these principles. This article examines the ethics and ethos of development journalism as a philosophically, culturally, and historically evolving professional ideology. It surveys the ethical landscape of development journalists and shows how development journalists balance the dialectic of a universalist ethical philosophy and a relativistic professional ethos.
48 citations
TL;DR: Qualitative analysis of the codes of ethics of politically-oriented weblogs shows that what bloggers valued most included accuracy, credibility, and etiquette, and further provides evidence to support the prevailing thought that blogging ethics and credibility are difficult to operationalize.
Abstract: As the latest tool for disseminated information and editorial comment shaping public opinion, blogging is quickly gaining popularity, prominence, and power. One major controversy for the new medium of circulating news and commentary is to what extent or even whether blogs should have codes of ethics. We examined 30 politically-oriented weblogs. Of these, only a few had a code of ethics, stated or implied. Little cohesion existed between the codes of ethics, but a few themes emerged. Qualitative analysis of the codes of ethics shows that what bloggers valued most included accuracy, credibility, and etiquette. We further provide evidence to support the prevailing thought that, while appearing to be “ethical” seems important to bloggers, blogging ethics and credibility are difficult to operationalize.
48 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the debates in law and professional ethics have to be resolved independently and that debate within those domains needs to be more nuanced, and that the debate should not be oriented around a single definitional threshold but should identify tiers that take account of different communicators' unique goals, tactics, and values.
Abstract: The contemporary debate about “who is a journalist” is occurring in two distinct domains: law and professional ethics. Although the debate in these domains is focused on separate problems, participants treat the central question as essentially the same. This article suggests that the debates in law and professional ethics have to be resolved independently and that debate within those domains needs to be more nuanced. In law, it must vary depending on whether the context involves constitutional law, statutory law, or the distribution of informal privileges by government officials. In professional ethics, the debate should not be oriented around a single definitional threshold but should identify tiers that take account of different communicators' unique goals, tactics, and values.
43 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an account of virtue ethics applied to the profession of journalism is presented, with an emphasis on the virtues of justice and integrity, and an original account of journalistic virtue ethics is offered.
Abstract: This essay outlines an account of virtue ethics applied to the profession of journalism. Virtue ethics emphasizes character before consequences, requires the “good” prior to the “right,” and allows for agent-relative as well as agent-neutral values. This essay offers an exploration of the internal characteristics of a good journalist by focusing on moral virtues crucial to journalism. First, the essay outlines the general tenets of Aristotelian virtue ethics. Second, it offers arguments touting virtue ethics in comparison with other popular normative theories such as Mill's utilitarianism and Kant's deontology. Finally, an original account of journalistic virtue ethics is offered, with an emphasis on the virtues of justice and integrity.
42 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a decision tree for applying John Stuart Mill's moral theory in teaching and practice of media ethics, which is a good starting point for our work.
Abstract: Utilitarianism and its principal architect, John Stuart Mill, are staples of media ethics teaching and analysis. However, utilitarianism, in its usual presentation, is offered as a simplistic arithmetic formula: Do the greatest good for the greatest number. This quantification approach, when attached to Mill, misinterprets this philosopher and robs media ethics discussions of the rich reflection that an important classical theory can bring. Mill is a particularly suitable philosopher for presentation to students of journalism and mass communication. Mill provides a strong argument in favor of freedom of expression in addition to espousing a moral theory that is simultaneously protective of individual rights while promoting communitarian principles. But it is imperative to get Mill right. This essay attempts to do so and to offer a utilitarian decision tree for those who wish to properly apply Mill's theory in teaching and practice.
TL;DR: This article examined Editor & Publisher's discussion and debate of the problems of journalism on its editorial page in the more than 20 years leading up to ASNE's adoption in 1923 of the first nationwide code of ethics for the newspaper industry.
Abstract: With a category system drawn from the ethical elements listed in the American Society of Newspaper Editors' (ASNE) Canons of Journalism, this analysis examines Editor & Publisher's discussion and debate of the problems of journalism on its editorial page in the more than 20 years leading up to ASNE's adoption in 1923 of the first nationwide code of ethics for the newspaper industry. This study confirmed the presumption that the code was a culmination of an ongoing and historical conversation about the normative standards of journalism in the newspaper industry's primary trade journal. It showed that Editor & Publisher raised every one of the ethical issues and problems of journalism outlined in the Canons, to include responsibility of the press, truthfulness and accuracy, partisanship, independence, freedom of the press, propaganda, and sensationalism.
TL;DR: In this article, an eclectic and holistic model of ethics and ethical thinking is proposed to show how partialities can be integrated into impartial moral reasoning, where ethical reasoning is divided into three problem areas or "levels" and each level employs its own form of reasoning.
Abstract: This article proposes an eclectic and holistic model of ethics and ethical thinking It uses this tripart model to show how partialities can be integrated into impartial moral reasoning Ethical reasoning is divided into three problem areas or “levels”—cases, frameworks, and ultimate ethical goals Each level employs its own form of reasoning For evaluating cases, the author advocates an eclectic application of principles; for evaluating frameworks of principles, the author advocates contractualism; for evaluating ethical theory as a whole, the author advocates a notion of the human good inspired by Aristotelian perfectionism This article argues that utilitarianism, which is one part of eclectic deliberation, is hampered by the idea that ethical reasoning must be based on a single moral criterion or “master” principle The article concludes by showing how this eclectic model, supplemented by “mitigated impartialism,” provides a systematic method for assessing partialities, with reference to the problem
TL;DR: The authors investigate the ethics of correction across media platforms and identify key components of corrections, associating them with accountability and other ethical precepts, and support conclusions about the consequences of accountability (or lack thereof).
Abstract: This qualitative analysis investigates the ethics of correction across media platforms. Using rhetorical and philosophical methods, I identify key components of corrections, associating them with accountability and other ethical precepts. Explications of three case studies follow—60 Minutes Wednesday: The Bush Memos, Intel: The Infamous Chip Flaw, and Google in China: “Do No Evil”—supporting conclusions about the consequences of accountability (or lack thereof).
TL;DR: McGee as mentioned in this paper describes the impact of his reporting on the Anuak community worldwide, its impact on several beneficiary groups in the United States, and the lack of interest by the mainstream news media that failed to fulfill journalism's primary purpose.
Abstract: Doug McGill published several articles about the massacre of 425 members of the Anuak tribe by the Ethiopian military in 2003 and 2004 on his Web site, The McGill Report. The mainstream news media ignored it. McGill's narrative demonstrates the impact of his reporting on the Anuak community worldwide, its impact on several beneficiary groups in the United States, and the lack of interest by the mainstream news media that failed to fulfill journalism's primary purpose. Two responses follow McGill's narrative. Jeremy Iggers examines the social and economic realities that make it difficult for journalists to fulfill their primary purpose. He suggests that partnerships between journalists and engaged citizens may provide a new model for journalism. Andrew Cline examines the rhetorical and ethical nature of the journalistic transaction between journalist and audience. Who counts as a journalist arises from the experiences of an audience that uses a journalist's work as a civically important text.
TL;DR: Advertising and editorial content have long maintained a complex relationship as discussed by the authors, and advertising serves as a primary source of financial support for the nation's newspapers, magazines, radio and television.
Abstract: Advertising and editorial content have long maintained a complex relationship. On one hand, advertising serves as a primary source of financial support for the nation's newspapers, magazines, radio...
TL;DR: For years, researchers had estimated people see between 500 (Bovee & Arens, 1995) and 3,000 (Lasn, 1999) ads a day as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: It's official. The mass media are full … of advertising. For years, researchers had estimated people see somewhere between 500 (Bovee & Arens, 1995) and 3,000 (Lasn, 1999) ads a day. According to t...
TL;DR: The authors pointed out problems with representation is a first step, but is this enough? How do we change content that we find inappropriate or even abhorrent? My students often comment in ethics class: ‘‘That’s the way television is.’ And my response to them is always: "Is that the way TV has to be?’
Abstract: reasoned discussion of those findings. The one thing we often leave out, however, is something we learned in graduate school but have mostly forgotten—our conclusion should suggest what needs to be done next. Pointing out problems with representation is obviously the first step, but is this enough? How do we change content that we find inappropriate or even abhorrent? My students often comment in ethics class: ‘‘That’s the way television is.’’ And my response to them is always: ‘‘Is that the way television has to be?’’ As scholars of media content, we should ask difficult, pointed questions of media producers and make suggestions based on our understandings. This next step is not just an opportunity, it is our obligation.
TL;DR: The misunderstanding of Immanuel Kant's principle of morality by journalism professionals, professors, and students comes in many forms as mentioned in this paper, and to better understand Kant's ethical theory, one must go beyond Kant's Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals and study his Doctrine of Virtue.
Abstract: The misunderstanding of philosopher Immanuel Kant's principle of morality—the categorical imperative—by journalism professionals, professors, and students comes in many forms. To better understand Kant's ethical theory, however, one must go beyond Kant's Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals and study his Doctrine of Virtue: Part 2 of The Metaphysics of Morals; to apply the categorical imperative, one must also understand the importance Kant placed on moral education.
TL;DR: Gogoi, P. et al. as mentioned in this paper discuss the Wal-Mart blog and the final word of the blogosphere in a recent article, "Wal-Mart vs. blogosphere": http://walmartingacrossamerica.com.
Abstract: Gogoi, P. (2006, October 18). Wal-Mart vs. the blogosphere. Business Week Online. Retrieved December 20, 2006, from http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/ dnflash/content/oct2006/db20061018_445917.htm Laura. (2006, October 12). The final word. Retrieved December 20, 2006, from http://walmartingacrossamerica.com/ Rest, J. (1994). Background: Theory and research. In J. R. Rest & D. Narvaez (Eds.), Moral development in the professions. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Williams, M. (2006, October 31). Richard Edelman discusses the Wal-Mart blog. ITworld.com. Retrieved December 20, 2006, from http://www.itworld.com/ Tech/5046/061031edelman/pfindex.html Word of Mouth Marketing Association ethics code. (2005). Retrieved December 22, 2006, from http://www.womma.org/ethics/code/
TL;DR: Corporate attitudes, Parker equips readers with the tools to critique and make a judgment on the case as mentioned in this paper, which is an excellent starting point for those interested in exploring ethical issues.
Abstract: corporate attitudes, Parker equips readers with the tools to critique and make a judgment on the case. In the accountability group, Toru Kiyomiya and colleagues’ examination of two major corporate scandals in the Japanese food industry identifies the ethical dilemma of organizational identity and common-sense values. Then, it spells out managers’ dilemma of protecting themselves from financial responsibility versus adhering to safety rules, and employees’ dilemma of honestly communicating facts versus concealing them to protect group interests. Finally, Julie A. Davis’ case about product liability for medical supply company Baxter International’s faulty dialyzers weaves a thorough analysis throughout. Admirably, Davis examines the ethical practice of the compensation and corrective-action crisis strategies used by Baxter. Enlightening is also the description of the denial response strategies that Baxter did not use. The detailed questions at the end of chapters make this collection suitable for undergraduate classes and corporate ethics training courses. For seasoned communication practitioners, the book’s main value lies in the cases, which raise issues that are surely confronted in everyday organizational life. Those wanting to dip their feet into the ethical practices of transparency, alignment, and courage in order to reevaluate the scenarios that surround them will appreciate the book. For ethics novices, May’s book offers an excellent starting point for those interested in exploring ethical issues. Ethics experts, however, will find the book frustrating because few cases fundamentally grapple with specific ethical issues. For those needing to delve deeper into those practices and ethically engage with them, this book will disappoint. Still, in its examination of purely ethics-based organizational communication case studies, May’s collection is important.
TL;DR: Tchividjian et al. as discussed by the authors found that corporate ethical lapses affect more than shareholders and customers, and that employees are less productive in deceptive enterprises than they are in dishonest enterprises.
Abstract: Murray, R. (2006a, October 20). Edelman blog disclosure: Join the debate. Retrieved November 10, 2006, from www.womma.org/blog-disclosure/ Murray, R. (2006b, October 21). Edelman blog disclosure: Join the debate. Retrieved November 10, 2006, from www.womma.org/blog-disclosure/ New survey shows corporate ethical lapses affect more than shareholders and customers—employees are less productive in deceptive enterprises. (2006, August 4). Bulldog Reporter’s Daily ’Dog. Retrieved from http://www.bulldog reporter.com/dailydog/issues/1_1/dailydog_pr_biz_update/index.html Public Relations Society of America member code of ethics. (2000). Public Relations Society of America. Retrieved November 27, 2006, from http://www.prsa.org/ aboutUs/ethics/preamble_en.html Richmond, M. (2006, October 20). A matter of trust? Edelman’s Wal-Mart blog manufactured writers AND readers. Retrieved November 27, 2006, from http:// blogher.org/node/11728 Telling the truth: PR ethicist Tchividjian on the Edelman fake blog scandal, transparency and why current ethics codes lack bite. (2006, October 26). Bulldog Reporter’s Daily ’Dog. Retrieved from http://www.bulldogreporter.com/ dailydog/issues/1_1/dailydog_pr_spotlight/index.html Trevino, L. K., & Youngblood, S. A. (1990). Bad apples in bad barrels: A causal analysis of ethical decision-making behavior. Journal of Applied Psychology, 75(4), 378–385. Word of Mouth Marketing Association ethics code. (2005). Retrieved November 27, 2006, from http://www.womma.org/ethics/code/
TL;DR: This paper examined how a number of American and Japanese journalists make the tough calls regarding an escalating social problem: whether to identify juveniles who have been charged with serious capital crimes, and found that Japanese journalists are far more likely than U.S. journalists to withhold names.
Abstract: This pilot study examines how a number of American and Japanese journalists make the tough calls regarding an escalating social problem: whether to identify juveniles who have been charged with serious capital crimes. Divergent societal and journalistic values of the two countries are explored via a survey of journalists from Honolulu and Hiroshima. Newsroom policies and practices are described regarding general and specific cases of juvenile crime. In general, Japanese journalists are far more likely than U.S. journalists to withhold names. Tables and additional background information are found at jmme.org.
TL;DR: The authors use the film Casablanca as an extended analogy to reconcile the concept of loyalty to a cause, as described by Josiah Royce, with Williams's argument that personal integrity can remain part of even utilitarian thought processes.
Abstract: Can concepts such as loyalty and integrity remain intrinsically valuable personal traits even as we devote ourselves to that which requires the loyalty in the first place (the greater good)? Does utilitarian deliberation rest on too extreme a notion of impartiality—one that focuses exclusively on the consequences of actions, leaving people, in the words of Bernard Williams, “mere faceless numbers”? Using the film Casablanca as an extended analogy, this article attempts to reconcile the concept of loyalty to a cause, as described by Josiah Royce, with Williams's argument that personal integrity can remain part of even utilitarian thought processes.
TL;DR: As a young intern on the copy desk of the St. Paul Pioneer Press in the mid 1970s, I was curious why the advertising scheduler took great pains to write the content of some ads on the dummies as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: As a young intern on the copy desk of the St. Paul Pioneer Press in the mid-1970s, I was curious why the advertising scheduler took great pains to write the content of some ads on the dummies. They...
TL;DR: Weaver, N. as discussed by the authors, et al. (2006, December 18). What we should learn from Sony’s fake blog fiasco. Retrieved December 18, 2006, from AdAge.
Abstract: Kesmodel, D., & Angwin, J. (2006, November 27). Is it news : : : or is it an ad? With ‘in-text advertising,’ it isn’t always easy to tell. The Wall Street Journal, p. R8. Lasn, K. (1999). Culture jam: The uncooling of America. New York: Eagle Books. Martin, N. (2001, September). Redrawing the line between content & commerce. EContent, 24, 38–42. Spence, E., Van Heekeren, B., & Boylan, M. (2004). Advertising ethics. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Weaver, N. (2006, December 18). What we should learn from Sony’s fake blog fiasco. Retrieved December 18, 2006, from AdAge.com