Principles of Journalism Ethics - Essay Example

DESCRIBE THE TRADITIONAL JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS THAT GUIDE THE PROFESSION. HOW AND WHY HAVE THESE BEEN AFFECTED IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING MEDIA ENVIRONMENT? WHAT SHOULD MEDIA DO TO REMAIN COMMITTED TO A STRONG ETHICAL CODE AND TO EFFECTIVE SELF- REGULATION? Student name: Institution: Course name: Tutor name: Date due: Introduction Journalism ethics comprises principles of ethics as well as good practices as applicable to particular challenges faced by journalists. Presently and historically, journalists extensively know this subcategory of media standards as their professional standard of ethics. While many existing codes have differences, many share common basics including the principles of - accuracy, truthfulness, objectivity, fairness, impartiality, and public accountability as these applications concern the attainment of newsworthy information as well as its ensuing dissemination to the public (spj, 1996: 1). Mass media has played a fundamental part in connecting the world of individuals. With its capability to reach a broader audience with strong as well as prominent messages of which has an impact on society. Radio and Television have been prominent on the daily lives of people’s routine, affecting the times as well as content that audiences listen and watch (Lievrouw, 2002: 1-2). Mass media has three vital roles it plays: to educate, to influence opinion and to inform. These characteristic features of traditional media have been challenged by new media, which is altering the participation ways of the audiences (Steele, 2012: 3-4). Mass media has enabled people to engage in events as well as interact with communities over long distances (Leckenby, 2003: 2). To answer these questions concerning the value and quality of journalism in the digital age. There are two views that need to be addressed, Firstly, new media and secondly, journalism ethics. New media and journalism ethics have two opposing views. On one-half, professional journalists are inclined to argue that the new media weakens professional ethics. Bloggers defy the rules, as a result, creating more pressure on journalists to hurry stories out and care less about sourcing of stories as well as regulating conflicts of interest. The solution to this issue is for professional journalists to tighten up: update codes of journalism and make them applicable to the new media and bloggers (Beckett, 2010: 1). Concerning the rest, it is to ensure that the public comprehends that they are merely lies, plagiarism, and rubbish in the name of being citizen journalists. On the other half tweeters and bloggers argue that the new media are creating their own system of ethics based on intelligent distribution and crowds wisdom. They go on to claim that new media comes with new ethics, and not fewer ethics and that professional journalistic ethics’ have always been somewhat of a myth. At times, the debate has descended into an exchange of abuses. Established journalist say that bloggers lack standards and are responsible for spreading lies and abuses. While bloggers, as well as citizen journalist, on the other hand, roll their eyes and point towards the latest scandals that involve professional journalist and failures of self-regulation. In addition, it is evident that neither of these groups is completely right but each have a point. Theory matters In order to solve the current predicament, there is a need to have some theory, and a much broader perspective into understanding what is happening. Three areas that must be addressed: - The impression of new media ethics of journalism - The methods by which a journalist’s rights may come with attached responsibilities - How journalists rights as well as responsibilities are redefined by society – for instance the response case to the scandal of phone hacking in the UK Why journalists act ethically Journalism ethics boils down to individual conscience and integrity. In other cases, it is perceived as legally necessary. Whereas in Europe the law tends to police just the outer reaches of what is proper reporting. Higher standards are set in journalism ethics and most ethical codes rise above not breaking the law. There is a group that says journalist do not act ethically without effective professional self-regulation. Point being, that a self-regulation is just effective when there is a clear collective as well as individual self interest in making it work. More frequently than not, the collective interest of professional journalism is provided in the threat of state regulation. For example, the UK in the last 60 years has seen repeated treats and retreats between state as well as self-regulation of the media: when parliament articulates outrage, self-regulation is tightened as was the case after the death of princess Diana and is most likely going to be the case concerning the phone tapping scandals. Journalists appreciate privileges in the form of certain freedoms and rights. Rights come with responsibilities and journalists are worthy of a particular set of privileges in light of social benefits provided, but only if they provide that benefit ( Beckett, 2010: 2-4). A new code is not sufficient and there is a need for a new compact amongst all journalists including those operating on the novel media that is outside of traditional journalism and society. There needs to be an understanding that involves the media in a social compact within society – and that the rights of journalists’ are conditional on responsibilities. Application of old ethical standards in competing with blogs and social media may be commercial suicide. However, dropping standards will lead to irresponsible journalism, and the public will begin questioning the legal and extra privileges that the journalists enjoy, as is currently happening in the UK. In addition, responsible journalism in some countries is a euphemism for self-censorship. Obviously, no specific solution will fit all. Fundamentally, the case in the UK acmes the possibility that competition from outside the self-regulation space and the professional journalism responsibility may create pressures that could disentangle structures and institutions supporting journalism ethics. If bloggers or anyone else is hacking phones, they are bound to get the story first. How does one compete with that? Obviously, the old as well as new media need to open a discussion to debate these regulatory as well as ethical questions. Primarily, the traditional media need to stop disapproving the new media, and start to articulate a new ethics that is applicable to both old and new. The doctrine of the free press may be harder to propagate globally within this century and hence the need to think creatively about the relationship between media power, as well as the state. Journalism professionals, bloggers, as well as producers for now are bound together. Bibliography Society of Professional Journalists, 1996. Code of Ethics. Society of Professional Journalist, [online] Available at: [Accessed 27 March 2014]. Steele, R. L., 2012. Traditional and New Media. 21st Century Communication: A Reference Handbook. Ed. . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 2009. 487-97., [online] Available at: Beckett, C., 2010. Media Ethics in the New Media Landscape: new paper. London School of Economics and Political Science, [online] Available at: [Accessed 27, March 2014] Leckenby, J, D., 2003. The Interaction of Tradition and New Media, [online] Available at: [Accessed 27, March 2014] Lievrouw & Livingstone., 2002. New vs. old media. The handbook of New Media (Lievrouw & Livingstone, 2002) – difficult to define, [online] Available at: [Accessed 27, March 2014] Read More