Ethics in communication - Essay Example

The Actual Malice Rule The actual malice rule is one of the regal requirements needed to prove slander against government officials and public figures. When false information is given, with knowledge that the information is false, this condition is known as actual malice. There is a difference between common malice law and actual malice rule. Common malice law is applied in a condition where the information given was false, with the intention of hurting or tinting the image of a specific person or group. Both these rules are used to show slander in court but in different contexts. The rule helps a lot in cases involving slander. Ever since 1964, the cases involved with slander are overseen by the constitution. There are special rules that are used to give directions on these cases. The rule applies a lot in the media fraternity. The actual malice rule originated from the media as a measure to protect themselves from prosecution from statements published that were false. The rule has helped in solving many cases. The rule has been there for a long time. In 1985, the rule got opposition from many sectors. There were tabloids and newspaper columns, which wrote articles about the disadvantages of the rule. The highest court in the land believes that this unique exemption for the mass media advocates vigorous and opens debate on radical issues. It trusts the guiltless person must be forwent for the betterment of the world (Epstein) the actual malice rule has provided parameters for people to escape justice by simply stating gross negligence. Ethical issues in journalism The word ethics are described as fundamental will to do and or once self properly in the society. Ethics is a Greek word that means to appeal. It shows concern for honorable people with dependable personality and appropriate behavior. It plays a major role in deciding what is good and what is bad (Ward). In journalism, many ethical issues need to be followed when reporting or publishing any information. This is because any information disseminated by journalists is taken with the seriousness and weight they come with. The ramifications of this information can be dire. Journalists are guided on how to carry out themselves by a code of ethics. One of the most important ethical issues is a journalist shall desist from any information or action that may harm the reputation of the journalist or to his organization. Journalists deal a lot with information and there is need to verify information before airing or publishing it. In addition, they are supposed to carry out themselves with good conduct and in a manner to portray their professionalism. A journalist should not accept bribes or gifts to give any favors. In addition, he should not threaten anyone with the publication of damaging materials. Journalists have access to a lot of information and at times, they are bribed or they are tempted to threaten individuals with this information. Doing this will be going against code of ethics. It will undermine the quality of publications and the vows that a journalist is sworn under (journalism ethics). Ethical issues in advertising (sexism and children) Advertising is the driving force behind many businesses. They help consumers know what products are in the market. The objective of an advertisement is to wow the customer and convince the customer to buy the product. For many years, advertisements have been criticized for the way they portray the message. These critics have been because of the advertisements flaunting ethical issues. Advertising is also guided by ethics that allow fair play and creation of good advertisements (Singh, Vij). The two issues that this advertisement faults are sexism and children. Sexism is used in advertising as an attraction tool in many advertisements. This is because the female figure attracts attention (Kuluttaja). Sexism is used in advertising in many ways. One way of using sexism is showing a half naked body in an advertisement, also two people having intimate moments in an advertisement is considered as sexism. Doing so is considered unethical and inappropriate to the society. Sexism also distorts the message that is being portrayed by the advertisement. This will make different people interprets the message of the advertisement differently. When it comes to children, sexism affects them differently. Young children should not be exposed to such graphic images because it will affect their innocence. A young brain records a lot of information. When sexism is used in the advertisement, a child will record the images that may lead to different behavior change while he grows up. It is the obligation of the advertising agency or company to make sure that the advertisement meets all ethical issues. Ethical issues in public relations People who practice public relations find themselves in situations that test their dedication and resolve. In order for them to pull out of these situations with their heads still held high, they need to follow their own code of ethics. Sometimes the situations get so hard that they feel that the only thing left to do is break their code of ethics. There are several similarities in the ethics that guide journalists and those in public relation. Being a very important position public relation is sworn by a code of ethics. One of the most common issues that find public relation officers in the dilemma is a conflict of interest. Because of the job description, public relation officers find themselves in situations that they need to defuse with at most diligence (University of Oregon). In places of work, conflicts are bound to happen. It is the work of the public officer to help defuse these problems amicably. The public relation officer should listen to both sides and make an informed decision on how to solve the issue. Honesty is one of the most important ethical issues in public relation. Public relation officers should follow the highest morals of accurateness and certainty in progressing the welfares of those who are represented. Honesty is also an integral part in shaping the character of a perfect public relation officer (PRSA). Duties require the public relation officer to report the actual happens of an event to authority or a client. Failure to do so makes the vows taken by the public officer null and void. Ethical issues in entertainment Entertainment is one of the most popular ways to relax and pass the time. Entertainment can be gotten from various media. These media are televisions, computers, radios, movies and music. The purpose of entertainment is relaxation and to pass the time. However, there are forms of entertainment that do not meet the ethical codes while offering entertainment. The entertainment that does not meet these qualifications can be regarded as offensive. It lacks values and instead of serving the intended purpose, it goes on to put bad ideas in a person’s head. One of the most faulted ethical issues in entertainment is bad language. Many songs and movies contain bad languages. People end up adopting this foul language and use it in day to day life. This kind of language hurts the reputation of an individual. It taints the image of an up write a character. Bad language has also a negative effect to our children. They fail a lot in their studies because of using bad language to communicate. Corruption of morals is also another ethical issue that surrounds entertainment. For example, many musicians in the televisions and videos have a lot of immorality in them. Many end up thinking that life is as if what they see portrayed in music and videos. They end up corrupting their morals and become a menace to the society. Ethical issues in entertainment should be taken seriously. The dangers of not taking this seriously are many and eventually corrupt the morals of children and grownups (Coyne). Works Cited Coyne, Richard. Ethical problems (the list). Web. 21-11-2011. http://mediacultureclass.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/ethical-problems-the-list/ Epstein, Richard. Actual malice should go. Web. February 18, 1985. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-02-18/news/8501100242_1_damage-awards-actual-malice-libel Ethics Net. Rules of ethics in journalism. Web. http://ethicnet.uta.fi/iceland/rules_of_ethics_in_journalism Kuluttaja. Sexist advertising to become a thing of the past. Web. September 2007. http://www.kuluttajavirasto.fi/en-GB/050708_eng PRSA. Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Member Code of Ethics. Web. 2013. http://www.prsa.org/AboutPRSA/Ethics/CodeEnglish/index.html#.UqjBm9JDtlw Singh, Raghbir, Vij, Sandeep. Socio-Economic and Ethical Implications of Advertising – A Perceptual Study. Web. 2013. http://dspace.iimk.ac.in/bitstream/2259/389/1/ University Of Oregon. Common Ethical Issues in Public Relations. Web. 2013. http://journalism.uoregon.edu/~tbivins/MERL/PRissues.html Ward, Stephen. Ethics in a nutshell. Web. 2013. http://ethics.journalism.wisc.edu/resources/ethics-in-a-nutshell/ Read More