promptingconversations about ethics

Reynolds High School Journalism InstituteJuly 2010

Donica Mensing, Reynolds School of Journalism

Survey results30% admitted stealing from a store within the past

year

23% said they stole something from a parent or other relative

42% said that they sometimes lie to save money

64% said they cheated on a test during the past year

Source: http://charactercounts.org/programs/reportcard/2008/inde

x.html

What prevents ethical action? Inexperience / lack of awareness

Emphasis on alternative criteria (economics, self-promotion)

Indifference / intolerance

Expediency / deadlines

What is ethics?Law is focused on the question of what do I

have to do?

Religion is focused on the question of what does God want me to do?

Ethics is focused on the question: what should I do?

Ethical dilemmasWhen moral ideals conflict: honesty vs. loyalty,

fairness vs. compassion, privacy vs. truth-telling

When an action causes harm no matter what choice is made

Put the focus on reasoning, not rules

What are some journalistic dilemmas you’ve encountered in your journalism work?

Conflicts of interest

Invasion of privacy

Use of anonymous sources

Plagiarism

Sensationalism

Coverage of sensitive topics

Proportion, accuracy, judgment

Reasoning through dilemmasConsider relevant facts carefully

Define your obligations

Identify your ideals

Consider the consequences

Make a decision

(Vincent Ryan Ruggiero, Thinking Critically about Ethical Issues)

ObligationsPersonal (respect others)

Professional (SPJ Code of Ethics): Seek truth and report it Minimize harm Act independently Be accountable

Ideals Ideals are notions of excellence

truthfulness fairness tolerance compassion loyalty forgiveness Integrity justice courage

ConsequencesWho will be affected by this action? In what

ways?

What short-term consequences are likely to occur? Long-term?

If harm is unavoidable, can it be mitigated?

Decide which action is most ethicalTalk through the dilemma with trusted

colleagues or experienced journalists

Consider alternative actions that could avoid the dilemma altogether

Choose the alternative that you believe will result in the greater good or the lesser harm

Fallacies to avoidWatch for double standards: apply the same

rules to yourself as you do to others

Avoid unwarranted assumptions

Avoid oversimplification

Avoid hasty conclusions

Intellectual/ethical development There are right and wrong answers to every problem

and authorities know what they are

There are conflicting answers to most problems and only the individual knows what is right so it doesn’t matter which answer you choose

All proposed solutions are supported by reasons within context

Student integrates knowledge with personal experience and makes a commitment to responsibility

(Simplified summary of William Perry’s nine steps of intellectual and ethical development in college students)

DilemmaA horrific two-car car accident occurred in front of the

high school after a dance. Eight students were injured. Your best photographer happened to be there and got a hundred photos from before authorities arrived to the full rescue by police and medics.

Your reporters have witnesses who said the drivers of both cars had been seen drinking outside the dance.

Your paper only prints every other week and the deadline is in two days. Do you print a story? Front page or inside? What photos do you use? What names do you provide? What do you write about the cause of the accident?

Your assignmentGet in groups of 3 to 4; you are now a small

newspaper staff. You have to decide the details of the story you will print, where you will place it, the size and content of the accompanying photos

Follow Ruggiero’s guidelines and be prepared to share the key facts, obligations, ideals and consequences that were most important to your decision

Your editor wants to print a story about the assault. The Hispanic student has agreed to describe what happened but he wants his identity kept confidential.

Culture makes a differenceAsk questions about ethics, guide discussions,

raise red flags; don’t wait for a crisis to have a conversation

Encourage questions, make time for reconsideration, value multiple perspectives

Understand that the outcome of a decision doesn’t necessarily bring relief, but sometimes doubt

Keep track of outcomes, discuss consequences, mitigate harm