Week 8 : Ethics And Journalism

I have started liking to blog, and I guess I will try to blog, even after this semester ends. I strongly believe that blog is one of the strong mediums to express viewpoints and reach audience in an easy way.

The lecture 7 covers an important topic on ethics and journalism.

Well we all think about what is good or bad, ethical or unethical, when making an important decision. Ethics in journalism has been considered an important aspect, which guides the practice of journalism. Especially so many political or social issues seem to cropping up all over the world. A reporter has to make sure that he/she is able to portray the news to public, in a very independent and realistic manner.

There are three types of ethical theories in Journalism:

     1.  Deontology

     2. .Consequentialism

     3. Virtue

The Deontology or “duty-based” theory comprises of following the set of rules and regulations, one of the great exemplar is Immanuel Kant, an 18^th century German philosopher or a “deontologist” who strongly believed in identifying and following one’s own duty, also keeping and valuing human values in mind.

This theory is mainly applied in the field of journalism and communication.

The second theory is Consequentialism, where only results or outcome, is what is cared about. That is the consequence of an action justifies its mean not the route taken to get there.

The third theory is the “Virtue”, where the goodness or happiness comes from good habits that is courage, following the path of justice, temperance and prudence. These habits of a good character are the “golden mean” of happiness and a good behavior. Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher is one of the exemplars who believed in this theory.

Overall the lecture was based on theory and principles applied in the field of journalism. Overall the lecture was based on theory and principles applied in the field of journalism. It gave a great insight about the role of ethics in the field of journalism, and the ways they are applied through.

Thank you