Encouraging conversation about ethics
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promptingconversations about ethics
Reynolds High School Journalism InstituteJuly 2010
Donica Mensing, Reynolds School of Journalism
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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
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What prevents ethical action? Inexperience / lack of awareness
Emphasis on alternative criteria (economics, self-promotion)
Indifference / intolerance
Expediency / deadlines
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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?
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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
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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
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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)
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ObligationsPersonal (respect others)
Professional (SPJ Code of Ethics): Seek truth and report it Minimize harm Act independently Be accountable
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Ideals Ideals are notions of excellence
truthfulness fairness tolerance compassion loyalty forgiveness Integrity justice courage
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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?
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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
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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
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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)
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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?
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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
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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.
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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
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