Living ethics : across media platforms / Michael Bugeja.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bugeja, Michael J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mass media--Moral and ethical aspects.

Mass media.

Physical Description:

xix, 343 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Oxford University Press, 2008.

Summary:

In a seamlessly wired world of television, computers, and BlackBerrys, where does ethics fit in? To address that question, Living Ethics calls for a moral convergence to complement the technological one. Identifying principles that apply across media platforms, Michael Bugeja has created a thorough and well-researched work that avoids the prescriptive language used by many texts; instead, he encourages critical thinking through examples that build, challenge, and enhance readers' value systems.

While many ethics texts focus almost exclusively on journalistic ethics, Living Ethics emphasizes unifying principles that collapse and transcend the boundaries of a wide variety of media sources-including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, public relations, photojournalism, advertising, and other forms of traditional and online mass communication. As readers will discover, the circumstances of ethical issues may vary, but the moral processes used to resolve them are basically the same.

Resolutely practical, Living Ethics is written in a clear and cogent style that helps readers: Understand unifying principles from historical, philosophical, and political perspectives, Grasp the utility of principles that engage audiences and clients while respecting the diverse cultures in an increasingly global media environment, Explore moral convergence through the eyes of more than 100 practitioners at major newsrooms, agencies, and organizations, Examine ethical issues visually through more than 20 photos and illustrations, Develop a set of principles to guide their careers across a multitude of platforms.

Contents:

Part I Building Your Ethical Base 15

1 Influence 17

Basic Intentions 28

Basic Influences 31

Familial 31

Experiential 33

Generational 34

Cultural 36

Social Mores 37

The Influence of History 40

The Influence of Language 49

Illustration: "On Trigger Words" 56

Perception and Balance 57

Illustration: "The Fine Line of Balance" 59

Photograph: "Father Holding Son, Who Nearly Drowned" / Jared Lazarus 62

Journal Exercise-"Deprogramming Your Influences" 63

2 Responsibility 64

Honoring Accountability 70

Role Models, Mentors, Icons and Idols 74

Broader Responsibilities 82

Photograph: "Editors at the Mailbag," Highlights for Children 88

Moral Relativism and Absolutes 89

First Principles 93

Journal Exercise-"You're Absolutely Courageous" 98

3 Truth 99

Fonts of Truth 99

Objectivity as a Process 103

News Process 103

Advertising/Public Relations Process 104

Truthful Platforms 106

Truthful Disclosures 110

Visual Judgment Calls 116

Photograph: "Grieving Family and Friends" / Morris L. Manning 117

Photograph: "Flight Nurse" / Dennis Chamberlin 118

Photograph: "Marine Funeral" / Dennis Chamberlin 119

Photograph: "Couple Kissing" / Dennis Chamberlin 120

Photograph: "Magdalena" / Dennis Chamberlin 121

Photograph: "Lanier" / Dennis Chamberlin 122

A Word About Satire 122

Editorial Cartoon: "An Army of One" / Jim Borgman 125

Editorial Cartoon: "NASA" / Carmen Cerra 126

Illustration: "Bunny Bio-Behind the Fur, Energizer Bunny" 127

Higher Concepts 129

Journal Exercise-"Your Highs, Lows and Turning Points" 133

Part II Testing Your Ethical Base 135

4 Falsehood 137

Categories and Consequences 140

A Word About Quote-Making 147

Visual Lies 152

Photo/Illustration: "Crossing the Line in Photojournalism" / Diane Bugeja 153

Questionable Lies 155

Journal Exercise-"Just How Truthful Are You?" 158

5 Manipulation 159

Brief History of the Hoax 163

Categories and Consequences 168

Activist Hoax 170

Impersonator Hoax 171

Personal Hoax 172

Political Hoax 172

Sensational Hoax 173

Stunt Hoax 174

Hoaxbusting Methods 176

Journal Exercise-"Your Biases, Fears and Convictions" 182

6 Temptation 184

Dealing With Temptation 184

A Plagiarism Primer 188

Detecting Plagiarism 193

Dealing With Conflicts of Interest 197

New Media Conflicts 201

Compassionate Conflicts 204

Religious and Familial Conflicts 206

Editorial vs. Advertising Conflicts 207

Diversity Conflicts 208

Visual Conflicts 209

Photograph: "Brian" / John Kaplan 210

Journal Exercise-"Your Own Conflict Resolution" 213

7 Bias 214

Exploring Bias 214

Exploring Stereotypes 222

Dealing With Bias 230

Anticipated vs. Received Message 232

Journal Exercise-"Taking Stock: Your Personal Bias Barometer" 235

Part III Enhancing Your Ethical Base 237

8 Fairness 239

The Fairness Process 239

Fairness-Related Concepts 247

Corrections and Apologies 247

Discretion 251

Journal Exercise-"Do You or Others Play Fair or Foul?" 253

9 Power 254

Power Bases 254

Power of the Press vs. Profit 255

Censorship vs. Self-Censorship 259

Taste vs. Free Expression 262

Illustration: "Child's Subliminal Ad" 270

Empowerment 271

Two Cases of Sexual Harassment 276

Compassion 282

Photograph: "A Policeman's Torment" / John Kaplan 283

Photograph: "Floodwaters From Hurricane Katrina" / Vincent Laforet 285

Essay: "Ode to New Orleans" / Charlotte Porter 286

Photograph: "Roadside Memorial" / Diane Bugeja 288

Photograph: "Final Moments" / Therese Frare 289

Essay: "Lasting Moments" / Therese Frare 290

Journal Exercise-"Your Path to Empowerment" 291

10 Value Systems 292

Personal and Professional Standards 292

Creating Codes 299

Photograph: "A Sampling of Codes" 301

Journal Exercise-"Your Own Code of Ethics" 304.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 323-325) and index.

ISBN:

9780195188608

0195188608

OCLC:

85862220