Ethical Decision-Making in Media and Professional Life Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What are the four important ethical standards recommended by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)?

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

What are the ethical standards recommended for journalists according to the lecture?

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.

What is the movie rating system adopted by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)?

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.

What are the rules set by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for advertising?

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. Signup and view all the answers

According to the text, what are the core values based on the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)?

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

Explain Immanuel Kant's ethical system and the concept of categorical imperative.

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

How does John Rawls' veil of ignorance contribute to determining the morality of issues?

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. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the ethical responsibilities in the press and how conflicts of interest can arise.

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

What are the key principles of general moral rules as mentioned in the text?

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

How can conflicts of interest arise in the media, and what factors contribute to it?

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. Signup and view all the answers

In the media industry, what are some examples of conflicts of interest that can arise, and how do they impact reporting?

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. Signup and view all the answers

What role do economic and commercial pressures play in influencing media content, and how do they affect susceptibility to advertising pressures?

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. Signup and view all the answers

What are some key components of the ethical decision-making processes known as 'SOLVE IT' and the Potter Box?

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. Signup and view all the answers

How do pressure groups exert economic influence on the media, and what impact does this influence have on coverage and editorial 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. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a press council in the media industry, and how does it contribute to maintaining ethical standards?

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. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the three types of ethical philosophies mentioned in the text and provide an example of each.

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. Signup and view all the answers

What are some informal controls on the media mentioned in the text and how do they influence ethical decision making?

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. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of utilitarianism as mentioned in the text.

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. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for decision makers to have a framework to deal with ethical dilemmas, as mentioned in the text?

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

How do ethical dilemmas flow upward in organizations, and why might they require guidance from a leader or supervisor?

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. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ethical Decision Making in Media and Professional Life

Informal controls on the media come from within and external forces like pressure groups, consumers, and advertisers.
Ethics are based on values and morals, guiding what is right or wrong, good or bad.
Three types of ethical philosophies are absolutionism, pragmatism, and consequentialism.
Ethical dilemmas often involve conflicts between deeply held beliefs and can be difficult to resolve.
Ethical dilemmas flow upward, often requiring guidance from a leader or supervisor.
Decision makers need a framework to deal with ethical dilemmas, aligning personal and organizational values.
Establishing an ethical decision-making framework offers efficiency, consistency, payback, and self-respect.
Consequential theories judge actions by their outcomes, justifying them based on positive results.
The principle of self-determination emphasizes the inherent value of human beings and treating others as you would want to be treated.
Utilitarianism, developed by John Stuart Mill, focuses on the greatest benefit for the greatest number.
Utilitarianism has strengths such as usefulness and flexibility, but also weaknesses including ignoring the interests of others and inconsistency.
Ethical decision-making involves a critical process of evaluating values, consequences, and justice to make the best choice in a specific situation.

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Description

Test your understanding of ethical decision-making in media and professional life with this quiz. Explore concepts such as ethical philosophies, dilemmas, and decision-making frameworks while gaining insights into the principles of utilitarianism and self-determination.