Ethical Responsibility in a New Age of Journalism

Arianna Guerra 

ag598417@ohio.edu

The world of journalism is one of constant change, public criticism and power. This is why ethical responsibility is essential in the journalism community.

Today news flows through many different networks at all times, whether that be from a phone, a computer, the television or if you want to go vintage, a newspaper. This leaves a burden not only on the reader to check their sources thoroughly but also on the source who must use their conscience when covering a story.

Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel call this consciousness a journalist's "moral compass" in chapter 10 of their book, The Elements of Journalism. This book highlights the importance of a journalist's ethical responsibility when reporting because without ethics the integrity of the entire journalism field is tarnished which creates distrust with the public.

A lot of distrust in the media can be seen today. A term that is not new but has quickly become a highly politicized slogan is "fake news". 

Picture source: Business Insider

The distrust that is present today does not pertain only to stories that are untruthful, it also has to do with stories that are considered unethical. This is why Kovach and Rosenstiel agree real journalism cannot exist without ethical responsibility.

This means it is essential for ethical responsibility to exist in pitch meetings, while out reporting the story and when writing or recording the story.

In an age where social media demands the public's attention 24/7, it's important for journalists to remember fast news even though it may be fact check must also be ethical. While people are naturally curious and are eager to hear new information they don't want to read an article that was written without conscience.

An example of this was earlier this year when TMZ released news about Kobe Bryant's death to the public before his family was able to learn about the tragedy. This news although true was highly criticized because it was considered unethical by many people.

We live in a constantly changing, fast-paced society, which has created a new age in journalism. To adapt journalists but understand it is essential to ask themselves not only if the story is factual but also if it is ethical because without ethics the public's distrust in the media can grow.

Information is power, and because journalists provide the public with information they also hold power. A popular saying is with great power comes great responsibility, for journalists that is, ethical responsibility.