The word “Ethics” is derived from the Greek word “Ethikos” which is also derived from the word “Ethos” meaning custom or character. Ethics is referred as the science of morals and is defined as “moral philosophy” or the code of morals that pertains to the practices, behaviors and decisions of a person or a group of people.
It is the principle that we use in order to identify the good from the bad and it serves as the influence that drives us in making choices and actions. It is an integral part of our everyday lives to be able to use morals in our interactions and behaviors and especially at school and at work because our characteristics and ethics is part of our identity and personality which defines us.
In relating ethics to the workplace and in journalism, there are certain rules, standards, values and principles that are established in order to ensure reliability, fairness, good conduct and to avoid injustice.
Journalism isn’t about promoting politicians, twisting or manipulating biased information nor is it focused on fame. Its primary purpose is to provide infallible and reliable information to people in order to give awareness about reality, what’s happening in society, in the economy and in the global sphere.
Journalists are also humans, they are capable of making mistakes but just like us, we have our own ethics to follow by which they on the other hand, are required to obey essential establishments (journalism codes of ethics) in professional journalism.
It is normal for us to “weigh out” or balance our choices and it is normal to face dilemmas in our day to day lives and for journalists, ethical considerations need to be dealt the same way, they must be weighed out, balanced and approached well.
These are the following ethical considerations in journalism that are bent, broken or reconsidered when there are certain factors that are vital or present that affects the reliability of information:
· Protection of Sources – in journalism, sources are viewed as a sacred right that needs to be protected in order to preserve both access and integrity but there may be times when reliability and credibility are weighed out in exchange for anonymity. This scared right is broken when the motives are questionable and when the information is skeptical/doesn’t fall into place or doesn’t make sense.
· Protecting Victims – Victims of sexual assault especially underage victims are not identified by their real name because it is a protection of their privacy and identity. There are factors that may lead to breaking this rule. If the suspect, however, is a public figure, this rule may be broken. If the privacy of a victim may be incidental or related to another news coverage that may give justice or resolve a specific issue or problem, this rule may be broken.
· Privacy VS. News Value – Celebrities and political figures have a lesser private life compared to normal citizens. In journalism, privacy and newsworthiness are weighed out and reconsidered when the information is more valuable and important whilst also maintaining to avoid causing or doing any harm.
· Conflicts of Interest - This refers to anything that produces disharmony to the ethics or responsibilities in journalism. Information should be delivered fairly, without personal opinions and without the help of external influences. Certain factors such as information about the negative effects of cigarette smoking is biased in terms of focusing only on the negative but this is reconsidered when the information has more importance or is stronger than the other side of the story.
· Audience as a Customer – I’ve mentioned earlier that journalism is not focused on fame, however, it can make use of business strategies. The audience serves as the customer and the news or journalists serve as the seller who provides the needs. News play a big role in society by providing information and reality to the people and it is through newspapers, TV and online that we are able to gain access all of which are not totally free. Without us readers, listeners and viewers there will be no business or market for journalism.
Since fairness and balance has been mentioned several times already, it’s time to address the purpose of “balance” in journalism.
News reporters and journalists in general follow the principle of providing unbiased media coverage and impartiality which concludes to giving importance to equality when all perspectives, main points and sides of all that is involved in the news coverage are presented, regardless of whether or not the journalists, reports or viewers agree.
One side must not be given more importance than the other and there must be no favoritism in delivering the content of the information, in order to avoid such circumstances, there are guidelines to balance news reporting.
· Exploring All Sides of The Issue – in order to be fair and have balance, all sides of the issue must be explored and all findings must be delivered accurately. The language and tone used in delivering the information must be ensured that it won’t lead to be confusing or inaccurately represented to the people.
· Right of Reply – when making allegations or asking questions, the broadcaster or journalist must give importance to the right of reply. This guideline gives the person in question the right to defend themselves and give answers.
· Seeking a Response – when questioning about allegations of wrongdoing, the journalist must provide the person(s) in question a fair opportunity for them to respond to the allegations before the information is published or broadcasted.
· Editorial Independence – journalists should not accept gifts in exchange for the accuracy of the information nor should they make agreements that will stop them from asking important questions.
Fake news has been and will always be a problem and more so now that information is easily accessible using gadgets, websites and social media. It is because of journalists who release information just for the thrill, fame and money instead of providing the truth and facts that these lies easily spread like wildfire and misinform people.
Celebrities and public figures are more prone to be held victims of bad journalism especially when it concerns or is in relation to their privacy. It is often about rumors, fresh news and information about private lives that attracts the curiosity and interest of the people regardless of whether or not they believe it and regardless of whether or not all information is true.
For me, this is a strategy used by some journalists to stir reactions from the public despite spreading lies and fallacy to the point that they are able to risk their careers and trust from the people in exchange for committing Libel or Defamation just to be famous for a short while.
The principles in the ethics of journalism which are truthfulness/honesty, accuracy, fairness, public accountability and harm-limitation are all violated when journalists commit libel.
When they publish, speak and spread false information that ruins and affects the image and reputation of a specific brand, person or company, they are defaming and destroying lives because not only does libel & defamation ruin careers, they also affect mental health and heighten the risks of hate, threats and other types of harm/danger.
Normally, we are more motivated to finish or do a certain task when there is a mutual agreement involving rewards. We are also more willing to accept an agreement when there is a beneficial aspect that we will receive in return.
Since I don’t have a sibling, I can only give an example based on the movies and comedy skits I’ve watched about older brothers playing with their younger sisters and accidentally causing harm or breaking something valuable and in order for the accident to be kept as a secret from their parents, they and settle into an agreement by giving money or allowing the younger siblings to order them around.
It’s probably just children who can run away with this sort of things but it’s completely different when it’s applied in adult life and most especially in the work place.
In journalism, those involved in a certain issue who want their names to come clean in order for them to avoid bigger problems and to maintain their reputation, offer journalists money or personal gain in status in exchange for biased information.
Another person’s life might be in danger if the biased information greatly affects their image and if a journalist is bribed in return for work promotion it would be unfair for the journalists who deserve and are worthy of that position.
This just proves that bribery is unethical, corrupt and promotes inequality all of which is contrary to the purpose of journalism and the journalism codes of ethics.
We all want our privacy to be respected and we don’t want people probing into our lives and asking us to open up or talk about personal things and that’s just how it is. In journalism however, it is important to know about specific details, to ask personal questions and to get answers but there is a fine line between respecting boundaries and respecting the right to dismiss any information (seeking response and the right to reply).
Journalists get into trouble with intrusion or invasion of privacy when they start invading private properties or trespassing, asking questions without consent or without informing what type of questions will be asked, when they use surveillance properties such as cameras and bugging equipment in order to provide biased information to the public, when they don’t give public disclosure to private and embarrassing facts, when they use false light which is similar to libel but highly offensive and when they use misappropriation which is using someone’s identity without their permission.
In journalism, following guidelines and rules are very important because they are essential in creating an impact to the readers, listeners and viewers in an informative way. In newspapers, good criteria are important because they serve as guidelines that help in structuring and focusing newsworthy information. Here are some criteria:
1. Journalists must strive for completeness and must exert all effort in printing truthful and factual information that is free from any bias or news distortion and must not publish imbalanced information. The newspaper must also inform the readers if the sources are not competently defined.
2. Local, national and global events must be reported and explained comprehensively. All these information are significant in spreading awareness and sharing the truth to the public.
3. A good newspaper is a public conscience and must provide reflections and wise counseling about the news coverage especially with information about society, politics, jobs, economy and communities.
4. Journalists/writers must be mature, professional and competent in researching, making surveys and judgments, interviewing and gathering information that is factual and intended to educate and give awareness to the public. Good writing paired with excellent photography and good printing are essential in capturing and stirring emotions such as excitement, sadness or drama to the readers. Good printing is also a key in reliability and assurance which will earn the trust of the readers.
5. A good newspaper should be guided in releasing a publication material that is concerned with the truth, freedom, human betterment and respect.
