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Ethics = Good Journalism

ASNE High School

Journalism InstituteJan Leach

July 2008

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What is ethics? The moral basis we use to resolve dilemmas.

Ethics comes into play when moral values

conflict. Ethics is not about laws.

Ethics is a rational process

founded on certain

agreed-upon principlesmorals in the realm of religion,

Its what you do when no one is looking.

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Everyday EthicsWould YOUsteal?

The Napoli

Finders, keepers: It may be legal, but is it

ethical?

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Everyday Ethics Why is everyone behaving badly?

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Ethics in Journalism-- The New Yorker

cartoon

.

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Ethics in Journalism-- New York Times

infant photo

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Ethics in Journalism-- Washington Posts Pulitzer series on

Walter Reed Army Medical Center

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Ethics in Journalism-- April Branum in the Orange County Register

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Ethics = Good Journalism Who decides?

How can you defend your ethical decision-

making?

Ethics is about confidence.

Ethics requires lots of communication.

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Ethics in High School Journalism Credibility is at stake

Censorship is a threat

Issues-- Privacy

-- Anonymous Sources

-- Photographs

-- Sensitive topics-- Conflicts of interest

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Ethics in High School Journalism Issues (continued)

-- Accuracy

-- Balance and

bias

-- Quotes

-- Naming

juveniles

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Ethics = Good Journalism Rules

Relativism

GreaterGood

Truth/Lying

Deception

Fabrication/Plagiarism

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Ethics = Good Journalism From Poynter:

What is my journalistic purpose?

Who will be helped? Who will be harmed? What alternatives do I have?

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Ethics Isnt Easy Journalism ethics plays out in public

Different audiences react differently

Can you defend your decision?

(Right vs. wrong problem is relatively easy to solve;

right vs. right is what makes a dilemma difficult.)

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Photo Manipulation Manipulation is easy

Photoshop can change

context, story

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Photo Manipulation

More manipulation and bias

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Photo Manipulation

Manipulation wrecks accuracy,

credibilityhttp://www.cs

dartmouth.edu/

farid/research

/digital tampering

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An Ethics ECHO(jcl)

Ethical Decision-Making Model -- Sound reflected back to its source is an echo.

-- Decision-making reflected back to its source is deliberate anddefensible.

E Explain to everyone

C Consider consequences and context

H Consider harm and highlights

O Order youroptions and opportunities

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Ethics = ExcellenceEthics is about behavior

Its important to establish practical ethics in life, in

school and in business Dont think of ethics policies as prohibitive

Ethics = Good Journalism

Just do it!