Tommy Thomason

Thinking through ethical dilemmas at community newspapers using the Potter Box.

Transcript

1. Tommy Thomason Thinking through ethics issues Getting a handle on the process
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4. Ethics is a morality or code of conduct -- the values of life that result in guidance on conduct: good and bad, right and wrong.
5. Ethics is a morality or code of conduct -- the values of life that result in guidance on conduct: good and bad, right and wrong.
6. Why do ethics issues have to be so hard?
7. They are only hard when they offer dilemmas…
11. So when you have a dilemma, how do you make a choice? What principles can you use to work through a dilemma?
13. Law
14. L Law Ethics
15. L Law Ethics Codes of Ethics
16. The SPJ Code of Ethics
17. The SPJ Code of Ethics Truth, accuracy
18. The SPJ Code of Ethics Truth, accuracy Responsible sourcing
19. The SPJ Code of Ethics Truth, accuracy Responsible sourcing Labeling advocacy and commentary
20. The SPJ Code of Ethics Truth, accuracy Responsible sourcing Labeling advocacy and commentary Plagiarism
21. The SPJ Code of Ethics Truth, accuracy Responsible sourcing Labeling advocacy and commentary Plagiarism Avoiding invasion of the privacy of victims and people not in the public eye
22. The SPJ Code of Ethics Truth, accuracy Responsible sourcing Labeling advocacy and commentary Plagiarism Avoiding invasion of the privacy of victims and people not in the public eye Avoiding conflicts of interest
23. The SPJ Code of Ethics Truth, accuracy Responsible sourcing Labeling advocacy and commentary Plagiarism Avoiding invasion of the privacy of victims and people not in the public eye Avoiding conflicts of interest Resisting advertiser pressure to influence coverage
24. The SPJ Code of Ethics Truth, accuracy Responsible sourcing Labeling advocacy and commentary Plagiarism Avoiding invasion of the privacy of victims and people not in the public eye Avoiding conflicts of interest Resisting advertiser pressure to influence coverage Distinguish between news and advertising, and label the advertising
25. L Law Ethics Codes of Ethics
26. The Potter Box
28. Definition Take time to understand the issue Don’t skip this step
29. Don’t be boxed in by your definition of the problem. Are there creative alternatives? Seek advice – both inside the profession and outside
31. Values Community values Craft values
32. Principles The golden mean Utilitarianism Categorical imperative Judeo- Christian
33. Loyalties To my paper and its bottom line? To the best thing for the community? To individuals? To my subscribers? To the profession of journalism? And the next step after your decision…
34. Definition Loyalties Values Principles
35. Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. Justice Potter Stewart
36. Newspaper ethics is doing it on deadline while you’re trying to get the paper out, knowing that the wrong decision can alienate readers, hurt people in the community you’re a part of, or neglect your responsibility to tell the truth and act as a watchdog on powerful institutions.