Media Ethics: Cases and Moral Reasoning
Top Insights
Inspiring Practice
New York; London: Routledge, 11th ed. (2020), xvi, 461 pp.
Contains index
ISBN 978-0-367-24397-5 (pbk); 978-0-429-28224-9 (ebook)
Other editions: 3rd ed. published by Longman Publishing Group 1991; 7th ed. 2005; 10th ed. published by Routledge 2017
"This text provides a comprehensive introduction to the theoretical principles of ethical philosophies, facilitating ethical awareness. It introduces the Potter Box, with its four dimensions of moral analysis, to provide a framework for exploring the steps in moral reasoning and analyzing the cases. Focusing on a wide spectrum of ethical issues faced by media practitioners, the cases in this Eleventh Edition include the most recent issues in journalism, broadcasting, advertising, public relations, and entertainment. Cases touch on issues and places worldwide, from Al Jazeera to the Xinhua News Agency, from Nigerian “brown envelopes” to PR professional standards in South Africa. Racially divisive language comes up in different communication contexts, as does celebrity influence on culture." (Publisher description)
Introduction: Ethical Foundations and Perspectives, 1
PART I: NEWS, 41
1: Institutional Pressures, 45
1 HuffPost News and Opinion Website, 47
2 Crises in the Journalism Profession, 50
3 Bankruptcy at the Philadelphia Inquirer, 56
4 Paid Journalism Worldwide, 61
2: Truthtelling, 70
5 Obesity Epidemic, 71
6 Al Jazeera English, 74
7 The Post-Truth Presidency, 79
8 Muhammad Cartoon Controversy, 85
9 International #MeToo Movement, 89
3: Reporters and Sources, 99
10 Data Mining and Algorithms, 100
11 Stolen Voice Mail, 104
12 Reporters Without Borders/Reporters Sans Frontières, 107
13 Korea Bans U.S. Beef: Candlelight Vigil, 109
14 Crisis in Darfur, 112
4: Social Justice, 119
15 The Worldwide Refugee Crisis, 120
16 “A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains”, 124
17 Global Media Monitoring Project, 130
18 Ten Weeks at Wounded Knee, 133
19 Peace Journalism, 137
5: Privacy, 146
20 Privacy Paradox, 148
21 Facebook—Cambridge Analytica Scandal, 153
22 The Controversial USA PATRIOT Act, 158
The Heart of the Matter in News Ethics, 166
PART II: PERSUASION IN ADVERTISING, 169
6: The Commercialization of Everyday Life, 177
23 The North Face at the Top, 181
24 Marketing Prescription Pharmaceuticals, 185
25 Sharenting: The Commodification of Kids, 188
26 Patagonia Takes the Next Step, 191
7: Advertising in an Image-Based Media Culture, 202
27 Altering Images: Attaining the Unattainable? 204
28 Stereotyping Disability, 208
29 Spectacle for Social Change: Celebration or Co-optation? 213
30 Advertising in a Culturally Contested World, 219
8: The Media are Commercial, 223
31 Media Gatekeepers—Closing the Gate, 226
32 The Spymaster’s Car, 232
33 Disinformation, 234
34 Advertiser Pressure Campaigns, 239
9: Advertising’s Professional Culture, 253
35 Ethics and the Theme Park Experience, 256
36 Branding: Making the Same Different, Again, 259
37 Niche Markets, Niche Media, 262
38 Ethical Vision: What does It Mean to Serve Clients Well? 269
39 The Risky Client: Yes? No? 272
The Heart of the Matter in Advertising Ethics, 278
PART III: PERSUASION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, 281
10: Public Communication, 285
40 Publicity and Justice, 286
41 The Many Friends of the Candidate, 290
42 First Ladies Launch Cause Campaigns, 293
43 High School Attack Fuels Student Activism, 295
44 The Pressures of Representing the President, 299
11: Telling the Truth in Organizational Settings, 305
45 Private Issues, Public Apologies, Personal Victories, 306
46 #AskSeaWorld Faces Tides of Protest, 311
47 By the Way, We’ve Been Hacked, 314
48 Reporting Recovery, 316
49 Tweeting Roils the Market, 318
12: Conflicting Loyalties, 325
50 Accelerating Recalls, 326
51 Divisive Language Delivers Change at Papa John’s, 330
52 Representing Political Power, 333
53 A Healthy Drink? 335
54 Paying for Play? 338
55 Tragedy at the Mine, 339
13: The Demands of Social Responsibility, 346
56 Thank You for Smoking, 347
57 One for One® Guides Business Practice, 349
58 Ice Bucket Challenge Fundraising, 351
59 Tackling Domestic Violence, 353
60 Association Takes Action Against Controversial Agency, 355
The Heart of the Matter in Public Relations Ethics, 361
PART IV: ENTERTAINMENT, 363
14: Violence, 369
61 Hear It, Feel It, Do It, 371
62 Violence-Centered, 376
63 Comics for Big Kids, 379
64 Video Gaming Changes the Rules, 382
65 Pornography as Innocent Pleasure, 383
15: Profits, Wealth, and Public Trust, 387
66 Copyrights and Cultures, 388
67 Deep Trouble for Harry, 390
68 Super Strip, 393
69 Megyn Makes Her Move, 394
70 Duct Tape for TV, 396
71 The Lone Ranger and Tentpoles, 397
72 Faux Doc, Twice Baked, 400
73 The Angelina Effect, 403
16: Media Scope and Depth, 408
74 Reel History, 409
75 They Call It Paradise, 412
76 Tragedy Lite, 414
77 Training in Virtue, 417
78 Internet Play, 419
17: Censorship, 423
79 The Voice of America, 425
80 Frontal Assault, 426
81 A Few Sweet Men, 429
82 Rescue Us, 431
83 Lyrics Not So Cool, 433
The Heart of the Matter in Entertainment Ethics, 436
PART I: NEWS, 41
1: Institutional Pressures, 45
1 HuffPost News and Opinion Website, 47
2 Crises in the Journalism Profession, 50
3 Bankruptcy at the Philadelphia Inquirer, 56
4 Paid Journalism Worldwide, 61
2: Truthtelling, 70
5 Obesity Epidemic, 71
6 Al Jazeera English, 74
7 The Post-Truth Presidency, 79
8 Muhammad Cartoon Controversy, 85
9 International #MeToo Movement, 89
3: Reporters and Sources, 99
10 Data Mining and Algorithms, 100
11 Stolen Voice Mail, 104
12 Reporters Without Borders/Reporters Sans Frontières, 107
13 Korea Bans U.S. Beef: Candlelight Vigil, 109
14 Crisis in Darfur, 112
4: Social Justice, 119
15 The Worldwide Refugee Crisis, 120
16 “A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains”, 124
17 Global Media Monitoring Project, 130
18 Ten Weeks at Wounded Knee, 133
19 Peace Journalism, 137
5: Privacy, 146
20 Privacy Paradox, 148
21 Facebook—Cambridge Analytica Scandal, 153
22 The Controversial USA PATRIOT Act, 158
The Heart of the Matter in News Ethics, 166
PART II: PERSUASION IN ADVERTISING, 169
6: The Commercialization of Everyday Life, 177
23 The North Face at the Top, 181
24 Marketing Prescription Pharmaceuticals, 185
25 Sharenting: The Commodification of Kids, 188
26 Patagonia Takes the Next Step, 191
7: Advertising in an Image-Based Media Culture, 202
27 Altering Images: Attaining the Unattainable? 204
28 Stereotyping Disability, 208
29 Spectacle for Social Change: Celebration or Co-optation? 213
30 Advertising in a Culturally Contested World, 219
8: The Media are Commercial, 223
31 Media Gatekeepers—Closing the Gate, 226
32 The Spymaster’s Car, 232
33 Disinformation, 234
34 Advertiser Pressure Campaigns, 239
9: Advertising’s Professional Culture, 253
35 Ethics and the Theme Park Experience, 256
36 Branding: Making the Same Different, Again, 259
37 Niche Markets, Niche Media, 262
38 Ethical Vision: What does It Mean to Serve Clients Well? 269
39 The Risky Client: Yes? No? 272
The Heart of the Matter in Advertising Ethics, 278
PART III: PERSUASION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, 281
10: Public Communication, 285
40 Publicity and Justice, 286
41 The Many Friends of the Candidate, 290
42 First Ladies Launch Cause Campaigns, 293
43 High School Attack Fuels Student Activism, 295
44 The Pressures of Representing the President, 299
11: Telling the Truth in Organizational Settings, 305
45 Private Issues, Public Apologies, Personal Victories, 306
46 #AskSeaWorld Faces Tides of Protest, 311
47 By the Way, We’ve Been Hacked, 314
48 Reporting Recovery, 316
49 Tweeting Roils the Market, 318
12: Conflicting Loyalties, 325
50 Accelerating Recalls, 326
51 Divisive Language Delivers Change at Papa John’s, 330
52 Representing Political Power, 333
53 A Healthy Drink? 335
54 Paying for Play? 338
55 Tragedy at the Mine, 339
13: The Demands of Social Responsibility, 346
56 Thank You for Smoking, 347
57 One for One® Guides Business Practice, 349
58 Ice Bucket Challenge Fundraising, 351
59 Tackling Domestic Violence, 353
60 Association Takes Action Against Controversial Agency, 355
The Heart of the Matter in Public Relations Ethics, 361
PART IV: ENTERTAINMENT, 363
14: Violence, 369
61 Hear It, Feel It, Do It, 371
62 Violence-Centered, 376
63 Comics for Big Kids, 379
64 Video Gaming Changes the Rules, 382
65 Pornography as Innocent Pleasure, 383
15: Profits, Wealth, and Public Trust, 387
66 Copyrights and Cultures, 388
67 Deep Trouble for Harry, 390
68 Super Strip, 393
69 Megyn Makes Her Move, 394
70 Duct Tape for TV, 396
71 The Lone Ranger and Tentpoles, 397
72 Faux Doc, Twice Baked, 400
73 The Angelina Effect, 403
16: Media Scope and Depth, 408
74 Reel History, 409
75 They Call It Paradise, 412
76 Tragedy Lite, 414
77 Training in Virtue, 417
78 Internet Play, 419
17: Censorship, 423
79 The Voice of America, 425
80 Frontal Assault, 426
81 A Few Sweet Men, 429
82 Rescue Us, 431
83 Lyrics Not So Cool, 433
The Heart of the Matter in Entertainment Ethics, 436
