Transcript Ethics in Journalism

Ethics in Journalism
Meeting Ethical and Legal
Responsibilities
Vocabulary
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Ethics – a system of moral principles
Credibility – the ability to inspire belief and
trust
Accuracy – the quality of being true,
correct, or exact
Objectivity – the ability to make fair,
neutral observations about people and
events
Vocabulary
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Plagiarism – using someone else’s words
or ideas as your own without crediting
Libel – damaging false statements that
appear in print
Slander – a damaging false statement that
is spoken or broadcast
Other Ethical Principles
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Be guided by Good Taste.
Try to be fair to all. – difference between
fair and equal?
Always tell the truth.
Always attribute work, ideas, etc. that are
borrowed or taken.
Steps to Ethical Decision
Making
Internet Use
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Do not use photos found on the internet
without permission from the source.
Where did you find that? – verify
Be careful about what you put on the
internet. – get permission
First Amendment
“Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble,
and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances.”
Freedom of Speech
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The First Amendment keeps the
government from making laws that might
stop us from saying what we think.
People have the right to criticize the
government and to share their opinions
with others.
Where is the line?
Freedom of the Press
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Citizens have the right to choose their sources of
information.
The government cannot control what is printed
in newspapers and books, broadcast on TV or
radio, or posted online.
Citizens can write letters to newspapers for
others to read, or speak at public meetings.
Citizens can have their own Web pages, blogs,
etc. and offer their opinions to others using the
Internet.
Landmark Cases
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Tinker vs. Des Moines Independent
Community School District (1969)
Hazelwood School District vs. Kuhlmeier
(1988)
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Morse vs. Frederick (2007)
Tinker vs. Des Moines Independent
Community School District (1969)
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Question: “Does the prohibition against
wearing of armbands in public schools, as
a form of symbolic protest, violate the
First Amendment freedom of speech
protections?”
Decision: Tinker – Schools have implied
right to limit free expression, but they
need justification.
Hazelwood School District vs.
Kuhlmeier (1988)
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Question: “Does the principal’s deletion of
the articles violate the students’ rights
under the First Amendment?”
Decision: School District – Schools have
the right to set high standards for student
speech distributed under their auspices.
They have the right to censor speech that
is “inconsistent with the shared values of a
civilized social order.”
Morse vs. Frederick (2007)
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Question: “Does the First Amendment
allow public schools to prohibit students
from displaying messages promoting the
use of illegal drugs at school-supervised
events?”
Decision: Morse (principal) – has the right
to censor speech promoting illegal
activities
“Bong Hits 4 Jesus”
Implications
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Based on these cases and rules, what
kinds of behavior would not be allowed
and not be considered ethical within a
yearbook staff?
What kinds of behavior might be LEGAL,
but not ETHICAL for a yearbook staff
member?
What is meant by the phrase, “Just
because you have the right to do it,
doesn’t make it right to do it.”?
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