Media and Ethics Principles for Moral Decisions

by Englehardt, Elaine E.; Barney, Ralph

• ISBN13: 9780155082564
• ISBN10: 0155082566
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-09-04
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

Intended for applied philosophy courses and mass communication courses, this text takes an interdisciplinary view on the key topics in communication, ethics, literature, psychology, religion, and history. The writings in this anthology serve as a basis for a critical analysis of ethical issues facing the mass communication industry today.

Table of Contents

Preface	iii
Basic Ethics for Media Professionals	1	(39)
Classic Case in Public Relations: A Moral Choice for the White House Press Secretary	1	(1)
What is Ethical Decision Making?	2	(3)
Justifying Our Choices	2	(1)
Understanding Ethical Decision Making: Rules Vs. Principles	2	(1)
Learning the Benefits of Ethical Decision Making	3	(1)
Accepting Responsibility for Professional Moral Actions	4	(1)
Responding to Selfishness in Society	5	(1)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: Kathy Lee and Clothing	5	(2)
Understanding the Tendency to Inflict Harm	6	(1)
Contemporary Case in Media: Trash TV	7	(2)
Consequentialism and Nonconsequentialism	9	(1)
Five Systems for Making Ethical Decisions	9	(3)
Duty: What is My Duty?	10	(2)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: The Political Bait and Switch	12	(2)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Media Analysis of TV Talk Shows	14	(3)
Utilitarianism: What Are the Consequences?	16	(1)
Classic Case in Public Relations: The Response to the Press Secretary's Resignation	17	(1)
Contemporary Case in Media: Broadcast Nudity	18	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: The War Correspondent	19	(3)
Rights: What Are the Rights of the Individual?	20	(2)
Contemporary Case in Advertising: Tobacco	22	(2)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: The Gay Employee	24	(3)
Virtue: What is the Most Virtuous Decision?	25	(2)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: The Golden Mean of Work	27	(3)
Relationships: What Relationships Are Affected?	28	(2)
Contemporary Case in Publishing: Seamless Structure?	30	(1)
Relativism: Moral Rules Vary Among Cultures	31	(2)
Ethical Relativism	32	(1)
Combining Ethics Systems	33	(1)
Codes of Ethics	33	(1)
Nonbinding Codes of Ethics	34	(1)
Summary	34	(1)
Moral Reasoning Questions	35	(1)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: The Press Secretary	36	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: The Incomplete Story	37	(1)
Selected Sources	38	(2)
Moral Obligations of the Individual Media Professional	40	(22)
Contemporary Case in Broadcast Journalism: The Hidden Camera	40	(1)
Understanding Ethical Decisions	41	(2)
Fulfilling a Moral Obligation to Act Well	42	(1)
What's So Great About Theories? The Benefits of Moral Theory	43	(1)
Developing A Personal Moral Theory	43	(9)
Finding an Ultimate Goal: Your Beacon on the Hill	44	(3)
Developing a Hierarchy of Personal Values	47	(5)
What Is Moral Maturity?	52	(6)
Kohlberg's Six Stages	52	(4)
Moral Maturity in Thought and Action	56	(2)
Summary	58	(1)
Moral Reasoning Questions	59	(1)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: Race and Culture Shock	59	(1)
Contemporary Case: Personal Morality	60	(1)
Selected Sources	61	(1)
The Powerful Impact of Information	62	(35)
Contemporary Case: Political Attack Advertising	62	(2)
A Road Map for Making Ethical Decisions	64	(3)
Identifying the Moral Goal	64	(1)
The Short-Term Benefit	65	(1)
Contributions to Harm	66	(1)
Preparing a Personal Moral Theory	67	(1)
Is This Information Important To Distribute?	67	(2)
Professional Obligations: Minimize Harms	68	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: The Minority Reporter and the Police	69	(4)
The Cyber-Information Age	70	(3)
Establishing Boundaries for Distributing Information	73	(1)
Is Failure to Distribute Information a Greater Harm?	74	(1)
Classic Case in Journalism: Juvenile Court Judge	74	(1)
Classic Case in Public Relations: Juvenile Court Judge, Part II	75	(2)
Defining Harmless Distribution of Information	76	(1)
Regulating Information: Absolutism	76	(1)
How Does Information Affect Society?	77	(1)
Some Prefer Social Order	77	(1)
Some Prefer Conflict and Competition	77	(1)
Social Order or Conflict: Which Is More Beneficial?	78	(1)
When New Rules Come Along: Gender Issues	78	(1)
Public Pressure and Long-Term Consequences	79	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: The Incentive	79	(2)
Consideration for the Weak	80	(1)
Self-Interest and Emotion	80	(1)
Is Deceptive Information Harmful?	81	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Win at All Costs	81	(2)
Harmless Deceptions	82	(1)
Common Deceptions	82	(1)
Using Information to Improve Democracy	83	(3)
The Reporting of Suicide	83	(1)
Responsibility to Be Informed	84	(1)
Information is a Commodity	85	(1)
Information as Socially Acceptable Harm	86	(1)
Accumulation of Behaviors Affects Quality of Life	86	(1)
The Right Thing To Do	87	(1)
Power	87	(1)
Race and Gender	88	(1)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: Gore and Campaign Workers	88	(1)
Power of Groups	89	(1)
Classic Case in Public Relations: Vietnam and the President	89	(3)
Considerate Use of Power	90	(1)
Ethical Judgments of a Community	90	(1)
Individual Creativity	91	(1)
Summary	92	(1)
Moral Reasoning Questions	92	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Internet News	93	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: The Lie and the Consequence	94	(1)
Contemporary Case in Media Business: Selling to the Elderly	95	(1)
Selected Sources	96	(1)
The Politics of Media Decisions: Who Wins-The Individual or the Community?	97	(28)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Freebies	97	(1)
The Individual and the Community	98	(4)
What Are Liberalism and Communitarianism?	98	(1)
Liberalism	99	(1)
Communitarianism: Virtue and Relationship Ethics	100	(2)
History of the Individual vs. the Community	102	(3)
Does Crime Coverage Promote Crime?	103	(2)
Contemporary Case in Advertising: Jason and Nike	105	(5)
Should Media Use the Power of Persuasion?	105	(1)
Critical Questions for Liberals and Communitarians	106	(4)
More About Each Approach	110	(4)
Liberalism	110	(1)
Communitarianism	111	(2)
Blending the Philosophies	113	(1)
Contemporary Case: The Sorority Sister	114	(1)
Analyzing a Case: Campaign Sabotage	115	(1)
Contemporary Case in Advertising: Campaign Sabotage	115	(2)
Some Communitarian Choices	116	(1)
Liberal Analysis	116	(1)
No Easy Answers	117	(1)
Controversy Over Newspaper Editorials	117	(2)
Summary	119	(1)
Moral Reasoning Questions	120	(1)
Classic Case in Public Relations: The Exxon Valdez	120	(2)
Classic Case in Journalism: Leon Flint and Editorial Privilege	122	(1)
Selected Sources	123	(2)
Public Perception of Media Decisions	125	(30)
Contemporary Case in Cyberspace: Napster	125	(1)
What Causes Tense Social Relationships With Media?	126	(1)
Dependence on Media	127	(1)
Self-Serving Actions and Suspicions About the Media	127	(1)
Contemporary Case in Media: Presidential Election 2000	127	(2)
A Democratic Media System is Not Comfortable	129	(2)
Media Affects Distribution and Acquistion of Power and Information	129	(1)
Those With Power, Those Without Power	130	(1)
Which Social Groups Are in Conflict With Media?	131	(1)
Media's Response to the Conflict: Green-Light Journalism	132	(1)
Publishing Information Redistributes Power	132	(1)
Classic Case in Journalism: Red-Light Concerns, Publishing Claims of Sexual Harassment	132	(2)
Red Light or Green Light?	133	(1)
What Affects Society's Attitudes Toward Communicators?	134	(4)
Attitudes About Information Flow	134	(1)
Children's Attitudes About Media	135	(1)
Rumors	136	(1)
Social Beliefs About Media	137	(1)
Contemporary Case of Olympic Proportions: Corporate Public Relations and Bribery	138	(2)
Additional Social Messages	139	(1)
Persuaders: Finding Common Ground Between Clients and Audience	140	(1)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: Sport Utility Vehicles and Tire Safety	140	(1)
Informal Ways to Tame the Media	141	(3)
Social Conditioning Programs	141	(1)
Consolidation and Audience Shifts	142	(2)
Minimizing the Harm of Media Information	144	(1)
Examine the Powerful but Do Not Victimize the Powerless	145	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Exposing Discrimination	145	(2)
Society Approves Harm in Some Cases	146	(1)
Rules: How Society Handles Media Information	147	(3)
Formal and Informal Rules	148	(1)
The Pluralistic Society	149	(1)
Informal Rules: Conventions in Society	150	(1)
Classic Case in Public Relations and Advertising: Billionaire Access	150	(1)
Summary	151	(1)
Moral Reasoning Questions	152	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Small Town, Small Crime?	152	(1)
Contemporary Case in Advertising and Business: The Snoopers	153	(1)
Selected Sources	154	(1)
Journalism Ethics	155	(1815)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: The Drudge Report	155	(1)
The Journalist in Cyberspace	155	(1)
Social Responsibility and the Journalist	156	(4)
Setting a Baseline of Media Expectations	156	(2)
Can the Profession Be Regulated?	158	(1)
Profits and Advertising Influence News Coverage	159	(1)
Neutrality and ``Objective'' Reporting	160	(1)
Business Needs in Journalism	160	(4)
Retaining Audience	161	(1)
Economic Discord Between Journalists and Advertisers	161	(1)
Media Power in the Automobile Industry	162	(1)
Media Ethics in a Profit-Oriented Culture	162	(1)
Attracting Readers Through Creativity	163	(1)
The Shared Culture of the Journalist	164	(4)
Are There Moral Obligations to the Community?	165	(1)
The Ethical Journalist	165	(1)
A Journalistic Guideline for Developing a Personal Moral Theory	166	(2)
Problems With Emphasis on Individualism	168	(1)
Classic Case in Journalism: Impeachment Hearings	168	(1)
The Ideal Pluralist	169	(7)
Include Numerous Parties in the Public Dialogue	170	(1)
Encourage Informed Participation	170	(1)
Provide Accuracy of Facts and Content	171	(1)
Deception	172	(1)
Utility and Duty	172	(1)
Can a Journalist Justify Deceiving an Audience?	173	(1)
Privacy	173	(1)
Privacy and Classes of Citizens	174	(1)
Moral Dilemma: Reporting on Family Distress	175	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Covering for the Church	176	(1)
Coverage of Public Figures	176	(1)
Classic Case in Journalism: Princess Diana	177	(2)
Does Invasion of Privacy Serve the Public?	179	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Paula Jones and Penthouse	179	(2)
Confidentiality	180	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Election Leak	181	(1)
Conflict of Interest	181	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: A Married Television Reporter	182	(3)
Perception and Reality	182	(2)
Community Involvement and Conflict	184	(1)
The Importance of Disclosure	184	(1)
Diversity: The Fairness of Representing Diverse Views	185	(3)
Including Minorities	185	(1)
Entrenched Power May Silence Minority Voices	186	(1)
Empowering Diverse Groups	186	(1)
Journalism Ethics and the Law	187	(1)
Journalists as Intermediaries for Sources and Audience	188	(1)
Reactions to Complex Classic Cases	188	(1)
Journalism and the Courts	188	(2)
Ensuring Fair Trials Amid Media Publicity	189	(1)
Reluctant Sources: Business and Police	190	(1)
Classic Case in Journalism: O. J. Simpson Criminal Trial	190	(2)
Social Elements of Fairness	191	(1)
Summary	192	(1)
Moral Reasoning Questions	193	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Hometown News	193	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Small-Town Football	194	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Illegal Border Activities	195	(1)
Selected Sources	196	(1)
Advertising and Public Relations: Ethical Persuasion	197	(1)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: Public Denials	197	(1)
Persuasion: A Morally Acceptable Game	198	(3)
Competition is Key	199	(1)
Deception	199	(2)
Truth	201	(1)
Presenting a Credible Truth	201	(1)
The Importance of Truth	202	(1)
Classic Case in Media: Pamela Anderson and Companion	202	(2)
Persuasion Shows a Commitment to Truth	203	(1)
Identifying Boundaries	203	(1)
The Philosophers on Lying	204	(1)
Blatant Lies	204	(1)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: The House Organ Exaggeration	204	(3)
Government Lies	206	(1)
Acts of Good Will: Bok	206	(1)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: The Goodwill Gifts	207	(1)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: The Student Newspaper Compensation	207	(1)
Lies Can Protect or Inspire: Solomon	208	(208)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: Cleanup of United Way	208	(2)
When All Lies Are Harmful	209	(1)
Choosing Not to See the Truth	210	(1)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: Corporate Persuader	210	(5)
Leaking the Truth: The Whistle Blower	211	(1)
Social Responsibility	212	(1)
Receiving Reliable and Valid Information	212	(1)
Trusting the Messenger	213	(1)
Advancing Our Culture	213	(1)
The Moral Limits of Advocating for the Client	214	(1)
What Are the Moral Limits of Persuasion?	215	(3)
Loyalty to Client or Profession?	216	(1)
The Message Must Be Likely to Be True	217	(1)
Justifiable and Unjustifiable Harm	217	(1)
Ethical Decision Making	218	(3)
Conflict of Interest	219	(1)
Making Reasoned Decisions	219	(2)
Summary	221	(1)
Moral Reasoning Questions	222	(1)
Contemporary Case in Advertising: New Job, Small Agency, Lousy Assignment	222	(1)
Contemporary Case in Advertising: Gambling Brochure	223	(1)
Contemporary Case in Public Relations: The Trucking Company's Safety Problems	224	(1)
Selected Sources	225	(2)
The History and Future of Media Ethics	227	(32)
Contemporary Case in Journalism: Staging the News	227	(1)
History	228	(6)
The Colonial Period	228	(3)
Journalism Becomes an Academic Discipline	231	(1)
The Age of Sensationalism	232	(2)
Ethical Reforms in Media and Academics	234	(4)
The Ethical Legacy of the 1920s	235	(1)
Recommending Ethical Considerations in Media	235	(1)
First Books on Media Ethics	236	(1)
Professional Journals	237	(1)
The Basics About Codes of Ethics	238	(3)
Journalism's First Codes of Ethics	239	(1)
Public Relations, TV, and Radio Codes	240	(1)
Codes of Ethics in Other Professions	240	(1)
Views on Codes of Ethics	241	(5)
No Binding Code of Ethics	241	(1)
Support for Binding Codes of Ethics	241	(1)
Freedom of Speech	242	(1)
Freedom of Press: Hutchins Commission	243	(2)
Modern Media Ethics	245	(1)
Public Relations and Advertising Sources	246	(1)
The New Horizon: Cyberspace	246	(1)
Contemporary Case in Advertising: Cyberspace Ethics	246	(4)
Cyberspace Is Critical to Mass Media	247	(1)
Understanding the Impact of Cyberspace	248	(2)
Diversity: Who Uses the Internet?	250	(1)
Contemporary Case in Cyberspace: Raymond's Lack of Access	250	(3)
Issues of Internet Access	251	(1)
Cyberdemocracy	251	(2)
Privacy	253	(1)
Summary	253	(1)
Moral Reasoning Questions	254	(1)
Classic Case in Journalism: The Photo of Nancy and Raisa	254	(1)
Classic Case in Journalism: William Randolph Hearst and the Spanish-American War	255	(1)
Selected Sources	255	(4)
Appendix: Selected Codes of Ethics in Mass Media	259	(45)
Resources: Web Sites in Media Ethics	304	(10)
Glossary	314	(3)
Index	317