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Ethics in the world of journalism have always remained the same. Determining what is right and wrong can sometimes be a tricky thing, but as journalists, we have a duty to report the facts in an unbiased way.
Media critics and politicians love to bash the industry because they think that journalists write faulty news stories to make them look bad. These critics usually don't agree with what's being said because it doesn't follow what they believe in. The critics would rather talk about the news being presented than the actual matter at hand.
Are journalists the ones to blame?
Photo: Theonion.com
With the rise of the digital era, it is a lot easier to receive faulty
information. Our generation is more likely to receive their news on the
internet, as opposed to people from older generations, who get their news via the T.V, or even the newspaper. Whether it be from an actual news site, or social media sites such as
facebook and twitter, people are able to access the News in many different
ways.
The main concern is whether or not the information that is being
provided is actually news, or if it is just entertainment to gain ratings. Tabloid
journalism has been around for a very long time, but due to the digital age, it
is worse than ever. The ratings have gone up, and the advertising industry has
gained millions of dollars, but the entertainment aspect of news is not what
the public should be looking for.
Urban legends expert David Emery talks about News Satire and how the internet is full of it these days. The news presented may be comical and entertaining, but it is false and it is often taken seriously.
Ethics: The name of the game hasn't changed
The issue of right or wrong stems all the way back to the Greeks, who presented the world with most of the philosophies that still remain today.
Of course we have laws that we must abide by, and punishments for when we don't, but that doesn't mean that people don't make unethical decisions all the time. Law and ethics are two completely different areas, and although not everyone agrees, it is mostly universal on what is right and wrong.
This short video describes the main differences between ethics and the law, and provides some examples of what it takes to be ethical in all the things you do:
Video: Youtube.com
Certain religions say that we shouldn't always be ethical. They say that doing what is right can sometimes be wrong. Stealing bread for your family when they are hungry might seem like the right thing to do, but it's not ethical. Journalists should steer clear of these beliefs and bias's, and should follow what is universally accepted as professional and ethical news.
It's hard to keep everyone happy
Bentham and Mill proposed the idea of Utilitarianism decades ago, yet it still remains a constant to this day. Like all things, there are critics of the philosophy, but the greatest good for the greatest amount of people is usually a positive thing.
Journalists shouldn't report the news to make everyone happy, but if we report the correct information to the public, they will stay happy. People want to know what is going on in the world which is why journalism is so important.
Ethics may not make everyone happy, but it helps society function in a much smoother way. Imagine if there were no rules and people could do and say whatever they wanted. There would be no respect or trust in this world and no one would know what to believe, or who to listen to.
We are the ones in control
As journalists, we need to make sure to provide factual information to the public to keep everyone happy and to shut down the idea that journalists are just entertainers biased by the public opinion.
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