Ethical Decision-Making in Media and Professional Life Quiz

The four important ethical standards recommended by the SPJ are: seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable.

The ethical standards recommended for journalists according to the lecture are: be fair, honest, and courageous when reporting news; treat sources and colleagues with respect; be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know; and be obligated to your audience and to each other journalists.

The movie rating system adopted by the MPAA is a voluntary movie rating system that depends for its enforcement on cooperation from the filmmakers themselves, theater owners, and the movie-going public.

The rules set by the FTC for advertising include preventing fraudulent advertising, requiring truth and advertising, ensuring that ads are truthful, not misleading, and when appropriate, backed by scientific evidence.

The core values based on the PRSA are advocacy, honesty, expertise, independence, loyalty, and fairness.

Kant's ethical system is based on examining one's own conscience, and the categorical imperative suggests acting according to universally applied rules.

John Rawls' veil of ignorance helps in determining the morality of issues by encouraging individuals to make decisions without knowledge of their own personal characteristics or circumstances.

Ethical responsibilities in the press include social responsibility and acculturation, and conflicts of interest can arise from personal ethics and professional duties.

The key principles of general moral rules include respecting others, being honest, and striving to improve the community.

Conflicts of interest in the media can arise from personal conscience, duty to society, or duty to employer, and factors contributing to it include personal biases and prejudices.

Conflicts of interest in the media industry can arise from loyalties to personal beliefs, employers, and society, leading to biased reporting. Examples include accepting gifts, freebies, or financial incentives in exchange for positive coverage, the practice of 'Paola' in the radio industry, plagiarism, political involvement, biases from community organizations, and economic and commercial pressures. These conflicts of interest can result in biased storytelling and unethical behavior, impacting the credibility and objectivity of media coverage.

Economic and commercial pressures heavily influence media content, with ad revenue dictating the susceptibility to advertising pressures. Media organizations may prioritize content that aligns with advertisers' interests to maintain financial stability, potentially compromising the objectivity and independence of their reporting. This influence can lead to biased or sensationalized coverage, as well as ethical dilemmas regarding the balance between commercial interests and journalistic integrity.

The 'SOLVE IT' ethical decision-making process involves a structured approach that ensures consideration of all alternatives. The key components include defining the problem, identifying core values, applying ethical principles, and determining loyalties. The Potter Box, another widely used tool for individual ethical decision-making, involves defining the problem, identifying core values, applying ethical principles, and determining loyalties. These processes emphasize the importance of thorough analysis and ethical reflection in making sound decisions.

Pressure groups exert economic influence on the media through boycotts, legal pressures, and bad publicity, impacting coverage and editorial decisions. By leveraging economic power, pressure groups can shape the narrative and focus of media coverage, potentially leading to biased reporting or the omission of certain perspectives. This influence raises ethical concerns regarding the balance between economic interests and journalistic integrity.

A press council serves as an independent agency monitoring media performance and ethical standards on a daily basis. It plays a crucial role in upholding ethical standards by holding media organizations accountable for their practices and ensuring adherence to professional codes of conduct. Through its oversight and enforcement mechanisms, a press council helps maintain the integrity and credibility of the media industry.

Absolutism is the belief that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, such as stealing being universally wrong. Pragmatism focuses on practical consequences and the context of the situation, like lying to protect someone's feelings. Consequentialism judges actions based on their outcomes, justifying them if the results are positive, such as lying to save someone's life.

Informal controls on the media come from within and external forces like pressure groups, consumers, and advertisers. These controls influence ethical decision making by shaping the content and practices of media organizations, as they respond to societal expectations and pressures.

Utilitarianism is praised for its focus on the greatest benefit for the greatest number, making it useful and flexible. However, it is criticized for ignoring the interests of individuals and being inconsistent in its application.

Decision makers need a framework to align personal and organizational values, offering efficiency, consistency, payback, and self-respect in handling ethical dilemmas.

Ethical dilemmas flow upward in organizations as lower-level employees may face conflicts that they are unable to resolve independently. Guidance from a leader or supervisor is necessary to provide support and ensure ethical decision making aligns with organizational values.