Case Study
You are deciding on whether or not to write a comedy about a big time public official having sexual relations with animals in government property. You made decide that it is _________ for cable television.
What is Inappropriate?
Sunni, a journalist, catches her partner using a disguise to gain valuable information for their story on abortion. Should Sunni tell her boss or play along?
Sunni should expose her partner to her boss and find another way to gain the valuable information for their story.
This section of the Potter Box defines the facts of the situation
What are Definitions?
Name one of the four principles of the Code of Ethics
What is seek truth and report it or Minimize harm or Act independently or Be accountable or Transparent?
This is why journalist should avoid conflicts of interest
What is interference with a journalist’s ability to build trust with their sources, employers and the public?
This ethical school would argue those of good character would not work for an advertising agency that accepts cigarette manufacturers as clients.
What is Virtue ethics / Character reasons?
Sadie contacts a new source about a local band playing at the New Year’s Eve festival. She wants to interview the members and gain backstage access for his story. Sadie’s source tells her there is a fee to meet the band. Should Sadie pay it?
No, Sadie should not pay for access to news according the Act Independently principle.
This Section of the Potter Box identify these that drive or aggravate the situation
What are values?
This is the highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism
What is serve the public?
You are researching a lawsuit against the school. A person comes forward with important information pertaining to the case. You write the story and do not name your source. The school officials demand that you share your sources name after reading the article. What should you do?
A journalist has the obligation to protect the confidentiality of their sources and should not share the source’s name with the school.
When a reporter agrees not to use information given by a source, that information is considered ______________
What is Off the Record?
Last year, Hunter wrote stories on an on-going lawsuit against the university. Hunter has since graduated and there has been an update on the lawsuit. You need to refresh your memory of the case and begin reading Hunter’s articles. You notice several mistakes. Should you correct these mistakes in your article or leave them be?
Journalist have the responsibility to report accurate information and the mistakes should be corrected in the updated article
A _______ should be applied to any given situation
What are Principles?
Sources who face danger, retribution or other harm and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere require ________
What is anonymity?
Yes, Mona should call someone else to cover the story because there is a conflict of interest. She knows both parties and has a negative experience with one of them.
In January of 2020, NBA super star Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash on the way to his daughter’s basketball tournament. You have the information before any other medium. Should you publish or wait before the police inform the family?
What is waiting?
Kilo has strong liberal views and finds the conservative party repulsive. She has been assigned to write a political piece on the upcoming election. Kilo interviews three Democratic candidates and one Republican. She sends her story to her editor, and he tells her that her article is unfair. Why?
Journalist have the obligation to support civil exchange of views. Kilo should have interviewed 3 Republican candidates too for a fair story.
The obligation you owe to particular people or organizations when you are making an ethical decision.
What are Loyalties?
This is the principle of the Code of Ethics that treats human beings as deserving of respect
What is Minimizing harm?
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
What is the "Golden Rule” or Judeo-Christian ethics?
You are doing an interview with PETA on their statement on animal treatment. They are on the record for saying that eating meat is the “equivalent of the holocaust on your plate. Should you publish this quote?
Yes
Kingsley was fired when he waited 24 hours before responding to questions regarding inaccuracy in his article about a local accident. Was he justly fired?
According to the Be Accountable and Transparent principle, Kingsley should have responded as soon as possible instead of waiting 24 hours. He was justly fired.
This ethical framework helps us make choices using four categories to solve problems.
What is the Potter Box?
People who have a greater right to control information about themselves
What is private people?
This Aristotelian school of ethics claims that it is possible to develop good character even if you don’t have it to start with.
What is Virtue ethics?