Media Ethics: Cases and Moral Reasoning challenges readers to think analytically about ethical situations in mass communication through original case studies and commentaries about real-life media experiences. 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 Tenth Edition include the most recent issues in journalism, broadcasting, advertising, public relations, and entertainment. Visit the companion website at www.mediaethicsbook.com.
Media Ethics: Cases and Moral Reasoning
Table of contents
Preface
About the Authors
Introduction - Ethical Foundations and Perspectives
Part One - News
Chapter 1: Institutional Pressures Case 1. Fox News Case 2. Access to the Internet Case 3. Bankruptcy at the Philadelphia Inquirer Case 4. Paid Journalism Worldwide
Chapter 2: Truthtelling Case 5. Obesity Epidemic Case 6. Al Jazeera Case 7. The Unabomber's Manifesto Case 8. Muhammad Cartoon Controversy Chapter 3: Reporters and Sources Case 9 The Wikileaks Website Case 10. Stolen Voice Mail Case 11. Covering the Middle East Case 12. Korea Bans U.S. Beef: Candlelight Vigil Case 13. Watergate and Grand Jury Information
Chapter 4: Social Justice Case 14. Crisis in Darfur Case 15. A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains Case 16. Gender Media Monitoring Project Case 17. Ten Weeks at Wounded Knee Case 18. Peace Journalism
Chapter 5: Privacy Case 19. Facebook and Social Media Networks Case 20. The Controversial PATRIOT Act Case 21. Bloggers' Code of Ethics Case 22. Dead Body Photo
The Heart of the Matter in News Ethics
Part Two - Advertising
Chapter 6: The Commercialization of Everyday Life Case 23. All is not what it seems: Pondering Guerilla Marketing Case 24. DTC Advertising: Prescription Drugs as Consumer Products? Case 25. Cause-Related Marketing: Are you buying it? Case 26. "Like" as Social Currency: Empowerment or Exploitation?
Chapter 7: Advertising in an Image-Based Media Culture Case 27. Altering Images: Attaining the Unattainable? Case 28. Stereotyping Disability Case 29. Spectacle for Social Change: Celebration or Co-optation? Case 30. Anti-Obesity Advertising: A Question of Images
Chapter 8: The Media are Commercial Case 31. Media Gatekeepers Case 32. Native Advertising: Advertising and Editorial Content Case 33. Welcome to Madison and Vine Case 34. Ad-Blocking: A Perfect Storm
Chapter 9: Advertising's Professional Culture Case 35. "...perhaps the absence of a code of ethics?" Case 36. Branding: Making the same different, again Case 37. Niche Markets-Niche Media Case 38. Ethical Vision: What does it mean to serve clients well? Case 39. The Risky Client... Yes? No?
The Heart of the Matter in Advertising Ethics Part Three - Public Relations
Chapter 10 Public Communication Case 40. Publicity and Justice Case 41. The Many Friends of the Candidate Case 42. Corporate Speech and State Laws Case 43. 'Better Make Room' for Government Campaigns
Chapter 11 Telling the Truth in Organization Settings Case 44. Private Issues and Public Apologies Case 45. #AskSeaWorld Faces Tides of Protest Case 46. A Healthy Drink? Case 47. Reporting Recovery Case 48. Posting #Truth @Twitter (Updated)
Chapter 12 Conflicting Loyalties Case 49. Accelerating Recalls Case 50. Representing Political Power Case 51. Paying for Play? Case 52. "Thank You For Smoking" Case 53. Tragedy at the Mine
Chapter 13 The Demands of Social Responsibility Case 54. One for One: TOMS Case 55. Ice Buckets Challenge Fundraising Case 56. Tackling Domestic Violence Case 57. Brewing Racial Discourse? The Heart of the Matter in Public Relations Ethics
Part 4 - Entertainment
Chapter 14 Violence Case 58. Hear It, Feel It, Do It Case 59. Violence-Centered Case 60. Comics for Big Kids Case 61. Video Gaming Changes the Rules
Chapter 15 Profits, Wealth, and Public Trust Case 62. Copyrights and Cultures Case 63. Deep Trouble for Harry Case 64. Super Strip Case 65. Duct Tape for TV Case 66. TLR and Tentpoles Case 67. Faux Doc
Chapter 16 Media Scope and Depth Case 68. Reel History Case 69. They Call It Paradise Case 70. Tragedy Lite Case 71. Training in Virtue
Chapter 17 Censorship Case 72. The Voice of America Case 73. Frontal Assault Case 74. South Park's 200th Case 75. Rescue Us Case 76. Lyrics Not So Cool