This weeks guest lecturer, Donna Meiklejohn, looks at what is right and what is wrong and how we can analyse why. How do we base our decisions? Journalists have a reputation for not having a moral compass, being cold and not really caring about the emotions and feelings of others. There is a very fine line between what should and should not be published and how something should be reported.
There are three theories surrounding ethics in journalism, Firstly, there is deontology. This is where subscribers follow a set of rules, principles and duties. In effect, you do the right thing ethically by following the rules. All ethics codes are deontological. The second theory, consequentialism, is all about outcomes. It follows the principals of: It doesn't matter how you got the end result. The end may justify the means and the greatest good for the greatest number. Finally, the ethics of virtue whereby the question is asked does it align with the person I want to be. Goodness comes from morally good habits (or dispositions) of character. It is based on virtues based by Aristotle.
I believe throughout a journalist's career they will have to call on all three of the ethical theories to make the right decisions. Some people will have a more difficult time making these decisions where others won't even need to bat an eyelid.
Lily xxx
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