Ethical Decision Making 01 22 2013 Overview of SPJ Code of Ethics These are guidelines but are not subject to any laws self governed in order to prevent other people from getting upset over these perceived duties Structure o Preamble Contribute to public enlightenment Forerunner of justice Foundation of democracy Duty of the journalist Seek truth Provide fair account Provide thorough and comprehensive account Proceed with honesty Professional integrity Maintaining professional integrity is essential to maintaining professional credibility o Four subject areas 1 Seek truth and report it Journalists should be honest fair and courageous Report and interpret information Requirements of the duty Identify sources or give a reason why anonymity is necessary Do not plagiarize Test accuracy of information sourcing Do not misrepresent distort mislead or falsify Represent diversity of people with different views Distinguish among reporting commentary and advocacy 2 Minimize harm Treat sources and colleagues with respect as human beings Requirements of the duty Compassion sensitivity o Children o Inexperienced persons o Tragedy of grief Respect right of privacy Show good taste Balance individual rights against societal interests o Juvenile suspects o Naming suspects o Fair trial concerns 3 Act independently Remain free of obligations Respect duty to public Requirements of the duty Avoid conflicts of interest o No gifts favors o No associations or activities o Secondary employment Disclose unavoidable conflicts Hold the powerful accountable No special treatment for advertisers No pay for play 4 Be accountable Journalists are accountable to their audience Journalists are accountable to each other Note additional stakeholders Requirements of the duty Clarify and explain Invite public dialogue over conduct o Forum for public grievances o Admit mistakes o Correct mistakes Self criticism industry criticism Ethics Philosophical considerations o achieving justice o achieving social good Significance practical applications to journalism o Critical decision making o Resolving dilemmas Outcomes o Informed public o Enlightened choices o Social good Ethical considerations o Virtue ethics good character o Deontological ethics determining ethical behavior based on duty obligation o Consequential ethics determining ethical behavior on the outcome Aristotle and Virtue Ethics actor Practical wisdom High standards o Firm character traits Aimed at good citizenship o Participation in the democratic process o Person of sound character Significance o Agent oriented individual flourishes o Acquired values ethics learned Outcome o Rightness and wrongness o Determined by individual fulfillment Golden Mean is the desirable middle between two extremes one of excess and the other of deficiency actor is the focus what makes us feel good as measured by societal values Kant s Categorical Imperative action think of you Kan or Kan t do that Regards deontological ethics looks at the action Unconditional no wiggle room it is absolute No extenuating circumstances No exceptions Significance o Universal application Determination of ethical behavior Consider individual acts as law o golden rule Outcomes o Rightness wrongness o Determines by rules Duties Strict discouraged Meritorious encouraged Mill s Utilitarianism outcome Greatest good for the greatest number Regards consequential ethics looks at the outcome Significance o Social ethic o Balance of good and harm Outcome o Rightness Wrongness Determined by consequences o General happiness o General unhappiness Ross Pluralistic Theory of Value outcome Competing ethical values and duties Significance o Right decision making o Good decision making o Not always the same o Duties p 12 13 Prima Facie duties Actual duties o Right things to do Good thing to do Outcomes Rightness wrongness Determines by what leads to good morally relevant differences actual duties trump prima facie duties good usually trumps what is right Communitarianism outcome Movement from classical to contemporary Individual to society Significance o Emphasis on social justice Outcomes o Rightness wrongness Based on contribution to a just society o Individual acts are measured by social good o Community trumps individual o Yet individual still is protected because they are part of that society Ultimately benefits your individual well being Issues Plagiarism o Fabrication o Influence of friends relatives financial concerns Invasion of privacy o Inventing facts or quotes Conflicts of interest o Representing someone else s work as your own Moving beyond the public interest Information gathering o General considerations when where to draw a line 01 22 2013 01 22 2013