Fall 2019
Much of the realm of communication and journalism in today’s society is fraught with ethical dilemmas. How should one cover a story of interest that deals with sensitive topics? By what measure is a story “newsworthy?” While there are many problems that have been identified in the media, there is a need to seek solutions. I believe that ethical communication is that which holds the other person(s) in high regard and worthy of respect. While it may be a challenge to be an ethical, Christian communicator in digital media today, guidance may be found through such sources as the Bible, the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, and Mass Media Law by Calvert, Kozlowski, and Silver.
One may define ethical behavior as actions that conform to accepted moral standards. Several ethical schools of thought discussed in class include Aristotle’s Golden Mean, Utilitarianism, John Rawls’s Veil of Ignorance, and Hedonism. For me, much of my ethical framework is informed by the Bible. A verse that comes to my mind when considering how I should act is Micah 6:8. In Micah, the author writes, “… what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (New International Version, Micah 6:8). This is a call to seek justice and to treat others with a deference and respect in both words and deeds. When justice and fairness are reciprocated, the quality of communication in society improves greatly. To love mercy is to extend grace to others even when the situation is such that they do not seem to deserve it. Walking humbly involves putting the story or art or needs of others above one’s own gain or recognition.
Determining what is right in the context of digital media is difficult to ascertain but the Code of Ethics laid out by the Society of Professional Journalists is a good place to start. The main areas of emphasis in this code are to seek truth and report it, to minimize harm, to act independently, and to be accountable and transparent (SPJ). Under the heading of “Seek Truth and Report it,” the authors of the code write “be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises [you] make” (SPJ). This sentiment is echoed in Chapter 10 of Mass Media Law that examines the legal theory of promissory estoppel when a journalist breaks of promise of confidentiality to a source to that source’s detriment (Calvert et al. 394). Breaking a promise in this way does not show respect for the other person. Chapter 8 of Mass Media Law suggests when sharing the private details of someone else’s life, any communication professional should always consider the feelings and wishes of the subject (Calvert et al. 311).
Applying these ethical principles to digital media can look like several things: respecting the rightful ownership of creative intellectual property, elevating the voices of the unheard, and creating art that demonstrates a high degree of craftsmanship. The SPJ Code of Ethics champions that journalists “give voice to the voiceless” and this can be extended to digital media in all its iterations, whether they be videos, web-based products, graphic design, or multimedia creations. Part of what I want to do in my work as a digital media creator is to create high quality work that makes room for conversation and discussion. This can only be accomplished when working ethically to act in ways that are fair, honest, and respectful.
Works Cited
Calvert, Clay, et al. Mass Media Law. 20th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.
SPJ. “SPJ Code of Ethics - Society of Professional Journalists.” Society of Professional Journalists - Improving and Protecting Journalism since 1909, Society of Professional Journalists, 6 Sept. 2014, www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp.
The Bible. New International Version, International Bible Society, 1984.
Comments