Murphy Brown - Book Report/Review Example

It has caught fire, so to speak, since then and has spread all over the world raising consciousness to all sectors of society, emphasizing related concepts such as "diversity" and "multiculturalism." Much criticism though has been cast against the concept of political correctness. In schools and in the workplace, critics claim that "diversity has degenerated into reverse discrimination, where often the less qualified are admitted and the incompetent cannot be fired" (Blazquez, 2002). This article by Blazquez further cites stories on characters like Rev.

Jesse Jackson who shamelessly blackmailed and threatened to boycott entire corporations if they refuse to hire those selected by him or even give "donations" to Jackson's organizations. Similar write-ups can be read in print and on the web. One particular website called PoliticalCorrectness.com is devoted to analyze and criticize this so-called "philosophy" which threatens the First Amendment to the United States Constitution (Younkins, 2002). Advocates and adversaries aside, however, as members of the media, we have the responsibility first and foremost to our audience.

Murphy Brown's executive producer exercised ethical journalism when he apologized to the audience after the incident because he knew and he is aware of the important role his show has in particular, and the media plays in general in shaping public opinion. Media can profoundly influence entire societies and the lives of millions of people. McQuail (1991) points out that media can "serve to repress as well as to liberate, to unite as well as fragment society, both to promote and to hold back change.

" The media can also attract and direct public attention," "persuade in matters of opinion and belief," "influence behavior," "structure definitions of reality", "confer status and legitimacy" and "inform quickly and extensively." Thus, as a future media practitioner, I would do the same (i.e. to apologize) to take into primary consideration my audience - readers, listeners and viewers alike. As Spiderman would say, "with great power comes great responsibility." Further, such mistakes would have been avoided in the first place if as a broadcast journalist I have been appropriately and adequately trained along the principles of ethical journalism.

As the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility aptly puts it - "These are immense powers inherent in journalism's functions of information and comment. They require the tempering and discipline only ethical knowledge, understanding and compliance can provide." (CMFR, 2007) As journalists, media practitioners and communication specialists, we are professionals in our own right where the standards of ethics and competence are highly emphasized. Although the practice does not require rigorous preparation and study as in the fields of medicine, engineering and law would do, there are certain characteristics and requirements that journalism share with these professions.

Doctors, engineers, lawyers provide service to society. So do journalists. WORKS CITEDBlazquez, Agustin. "Political Correctness: The Scourge of Our Times" April 8, 2002. June 1, 2008 Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). A Values Approach to News Media Ethics. Manila: CMFR,