Ethics

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?
• Childrens Internet Protection Act
• Schools libraries gt _____ 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)
• gt40 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.
• Societys 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.