The Balancing Act of Ethics in Journalism

Hayley Hammerstrom

hh620514@ohio.edu

The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is the lifeblood of American journalism, acting as a pillar on which truth, expression and communal knowledge is cultivated. Journalistic ethical codes are then, metaphorically speaking, the surrounding bodily components that contain this unbridled, noble endeavor. They are the skeletal structure, the ligaments and the skin, which allow the pulses of expression to flow in a guided space.

In this instance, it would appear that journalism and ethics are the proverbial shark and remora, benefitting one another without conflict. Of course, the reality of the relationship between journalism and moral obligation is one of great fluctuation. Morality is not the antithesis of media, but there are times in which journalistic vows directly conflict with ethical compliance. 

www.joeweber.org/category/journalism-ethics/

Differences in Ethical Codes

Journalism is an especially unique discipline, since many different industries reside under its umbrella. For example, both editorial news and advertising are offshoots of the overarching field of journalism. Although this diversity in professional opportunities can be equally exciting and complementary, it can also create discrepancies in ethical practices. These discrepancies, in turn, prompted individual ethical codes for various journalistic career fields, organizations and associations.

Each branch of journalism experiences its own moral conundrums. Some journalism professionals and scholars even argue whether each branch should be expected to uphold the same levels of ethical functioning. Traditional forms of media, such as print, television and radio, tend to focus on the "Fourth Estate" obligation, which has been both a point of pride and a burdensome expectation for more conventional versions of journalism. In contrast to this, marketing communications are more likely to emphasize the importance of consumer awareness about products and services as well as the legal implications for disregarding consumer well-being. 

The Digital Aspect

Digital media presents yet another ethical challenge beyond the dichotomy of traditional journalism and commercial communications. Whether it is fake news, visual distortions or nonconsensual data collection, digital content has ethical considerations that were unforeseeable even a decade ago. The distinctive features that separate online journalism from analog journalism have also created distinctive obstacles over which digital journalists must hurdle, one of the most salient being freedom of access.

How the Different Ethical Codes Converge 

Despite the vast dissimilarities in journalistic disciplines, there are still recurring themes of truth, accuracy, accountability, transparency, compassion and the minimization of undue pain. Whether one is a photojournalist or an account planner at an advertising agency, she is expected to uphold these fundamental journalistic values. However, it is not enough to just be an exemplary ethicist.

A journalist is just that, a journalist. The obligations of journalism cannot be superseded by ethical constraints, but ethics cannot be blatantly disregarded in favor of a groundbreaking investigative piece or an incredibly persuasive advertisement. This conflict can seem like a mammoth dilemma and even perhaps an insurmountable problem, but it is the finest indicator of journalism's resilience. 

An excellent journalist must perform this balancing act with eloquence, tact and consistency. This exercise is part science and part art, forcing the participant to strategically navigate the ethical codes while preserving her storyteller role. In this state of balancing, a journalist finds her narrative, which can then be projected both ethically and artfully to media consumers.