COMM 409 has been an endlessly enriching course for me over the past semester. As we close out these last couple weeks, I find myself reflecting on the valuable lessons that each passing day has taught me. I remember being introduced to the ethics of journalism as we watched Hayden Christianson star in Shattered Glass. This was my first impression of what this class would be about. Following Stephen Glass’s shocking tale was a gripping experience. For me, this movie set the tone for the rest of the semester.
One of the most interesting ethical topics we discussed in class dealt with terrorist stories. Specifically, it has been the issue of ISIS. How do you present this information to the public without furthering their cause? Do you show their graphic videos, or do you simply describe them to your audience? I found that this issue was the most thought provoking and controversial of all of our lectures. I think, because there are strong arguments for both sides, it was one of the most challenging problems we faced all semester.
Another fascinating ethical topic was that of copyright and fair use. Despite this being closer to the legality side of the argument, it was still interesting to learn the staggering amount of images online that were being used illegally due to fair use infringement. I think this was an especially relevant topic for the class because of how important the Internet is for our generation and how often we interact with it.
My favorite case study dealt with the 9/11 “Falling Man” image. I thought this was a particularly interesting topic because the image itself was so inherently powerful, and yet, despite the backlash it received, there was nothing explicitly graphic about it. Putting myself in the editor’s shoes for this story was difficult. Should the public be saved from being exposed to the shocking image, or do the events of that fateful day merit such imagery? Personally, I believe the latter.
I imagine this course will have a significant impact on whatever occupation I end up in. Ethics are important in every field, so I think this class will give me an edge on the competition right off the bat. I see myself making strong decisions in the workplace that will impress my higher ups. I am confident that my judgment will be one of my strongest attributes in my career.
Overall, this class was one of my most valuable this semester. I felt like I was learning real life skills that I could carry with me to my grave. I had a lot of fun, and learned more than I expected. I will always remember the lessons I learned from Dr. Bu Zhong!