The Evolution of Ethics

Samantha Schilder
ss469613@ohio.edu

Today we ask ourselves, "what is the purpose of journalism?" Does it carry the same meaning it had over 300 years ago when you heard press through song and story? Today the story can be heard via hashtag, Instagram,  Twitter, Snap chat, Facebook post etc. The list can go on and on; why?

We are evolving. We are currently living in the generation of the future. What we learn today will be something new tomorrow.

As we evolve things that were once considered rational are now considered to be irrational. In regards to my generation. An ethical dilemma that has had an impact on me was the recent scandal on the Alabama Alpha Phi Recruitment video.

The video received attention from a wide platform, US magazine, ABC news, The Huffington Post and many more; including social media.

Courtesy of US magazine

The chapter was criticized because the sorority was 'objectifying' recruitment and women as well as showing no form of diversity. As a sorority member here at Ohio University, our Formal Recruitment is taking place this coming weekend. The Women's Panhellenic Association strives to make each member coming through recruitment  feel as comfortable as possible. To look at the attention Alpha Phi has received, I question the feedback we could potentially receive as any Greek member across the nation.

As time evolves, our opinions can be easily heard through news outlets out of our hands. With a simple click you can actively become a "journalist."

A journalist is here to inform and provide, but above all things; provide truth.  Many people feel entitled to their own opinion which is important. In regards to the Alpha Phi recruitment video the women of this chapter received backlash mainly from past generations, the generations that didn't grow up with social media or "e-readers."

As a generation Y; I ask myself, "Is the 2015 Alpha Phi recruitment video getting attention because past generations aren't evolving over time?"

Is ethics something that has lost its meaning or has the meaning just grown into something that we "the majority" can relate to. Did this video go viral with over 700,000 clicks in less than 2 days because of the sorority stereotype? We could form hundreds of questions that could have hundreds of different answers. That's what keeps journalism media in business, it leaves you wanting more, you receive information and spread the word.

http://quotes.lifehack.org/quote/viggo-mortensen/i-like-stories-that-leave-you-wanting/

The norms of journalism are always being redefined but the problem we carry as a whole is we aren't redefining with the change we see.  The traditional platforms of journalism will always remain, although it may not always be black and white, we will continue to spread the word through professional platforms and "professional tweets." As we grow more and more greedier to receive information as quickly as possible, we also grow to accept the information we receive with a little more acceptance. As for ethics goes, remember, the next time you only have 140 characters to voice your opinion, those 140 characters go a long way.