Journalism Ethics: A Philosophical Approach

by Christopher Meyers

Overview

Since the introduction of radio and television news, journalism has gone through multiple transformations, but each time it has been sustained by a commitment to basic values and best practices.

Journalism Ethics is a reminder, a defense and an elucidation of core journalistic values, with particular emphasis on the interplay of theory, conceptual analysis and practice. The book begins with a sophisticated model for ethical decision-making, one that connects classical theories with the central purposes of journalism. Top scholars from philosophy, journalism and communications offer essays on such topics as objectivity, privacy, confidentiality, conflict of interest, the history of journalism, online journalism, and the definition of a journalist. The result is a guide to ethically sound and socially justified journalism-in whatever form that practice emerges.

Journalism Ethics will appeal to students and teachers of journalism ethics, as well as journalists and practical ethicists in general.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195370805
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	03/17/2010
Series:	Practical and Professional Ethics
Pages:	392
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Christopher Meyers is Professor of Philosophy at California State University, Bakersfield.

Table of Contents

"Introduction," Christopher Meyers

Part One: Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations

Chapter One: Ethics Theory and Decision-Making
Chapter Introduction
1. "An Explanation and a Method for the Ethics of Journalism," Deni Elliott and David Ozar
2. "Moral Development and Journalism," Renita Coleman
Chapter Two: History and Justification
Chapter Introduction
1. "Journalistic Independence as First Amendment Guarantee and Moral Obligation," Stephanie Craft
2. "The Moral Justification for Journalism," Sandra Borden
3. "The Search for Global Media Ethics," Herman Wasserman
Chapter Three: What is Journalism? Who is a Journalist?
Chapter Introduction
1. "Why Journalism is a Profession," Michael Davis
2. "Who is a Journalist?" Jay Black
3. "The Practice of Journalism: Digital Journalism," Jane Singer
Chapter Four: Objectivity
Chapter Introduction
1. "Inventing Objectivity: New Philosophical Foundations," Stephen J.A. Ward
2. "Is Objective News Possible?" Carrie Figdor

Part Two: The Practice of Journalism

Chapter Five: The Business of Journalism
Chapter Introduction
1. "Journalism's Tangled Web: Business, Ethics and Professional Practice," Ian Richards
2. "The Decline of the News Business," Rick Edmonds
3. "Covering a World that's Falling Apart, When Yours is Too," Marty Steffens
1. "Journalism's Tangled Web: Business, Ethics and Professional Practice," Ian Richards
2. "The Decline of the News Business," Rick Edmonds
3. "Covering a World that's Falling Apart, When Yours is Too," Marty Steffens

Chapter Six: Privacy
Chapter Introduction
1. "The Ethics of Privacy," Clifford G. Christians
2. "Understanding and Respecting Privacy," Candace Gauthier
Chapter Seven: Approaching the News—Reporters and Consumers
Chapter Introduction
1."Conflicting Loyalties and Personal Choices," Jacqui Banaszynski
2. "A Robust Future for Conflict of Interest," Edward Wasserman
3. "Respecting Sources' Confidentiality: Critical but not Absolute," Aaron Quinn
4. "Consumers and the News: The Ethical Responsibilities of News Consumers," Wendy Wyatt
Chapter Eight: Getting the Story
Chapter Introduction
1."The Ethos of 'Getting the Story'," Patrick Lee Plaisance
2. "Mitigation Watchdogs: The Ethical Foundation for a Journalist's Role," Lee Wilkins
Chapter Nine: Ethics and Images
Chapter Introduction
1. "Image Ethics in Personal and Public Domains," Julianne H. Newton and Rick Williams
2. "Ethics and Images: Five Major Concerns," Paul Martin Lester

Editorial Reviews

"Impressive"
—Journal of Mass Media Ethics

From the Publisher