During this course, I’ve learned an extensive amount of information about ethical principles. Plagiarism and conflict of interests are two common principles that journalists deal with frequently. Plagiarism is a major deception in the journalism field, and has given a bad reputation to media because of this. Being involved with interests that conflict with your duty as a journalist can often deem your work as not credible. As a journalists, there is no black and white areas. Most situations are different, and require alternative approaches to deal with them.
One case study I learned this semester that really impressed me was the Brian Williams plagiarism incident. This was very interesting to learn about because I’ve always watched Brian Williams on the news and always respected his image. It was so shocking to me to learn about his deception, his supposed apology, and his consequence. Given the severity of plagiarism and deception in journalism these days, I believe his consequence of being demoted to an affiliated station was unjust.
This course has impacted my future broadcast journalism career by instilling basic ethical principles in me. I have learned a lot of things I did not know, and this course broadened my knowledge of topics I’ve learned before. After graduation and throughout my career, I will carry news media ethics with me all the way. Knowing how to effectively make hard decisions when faced with adversity in journalism makes an individual an ethical journalist.
I believe that course is a well-needed course for anyone that wants to pursue journalism as a career. Personally, this course has broadened my knowledge of ethical decision-making. Learning how to report on violence, and reporting on sexual assault victims is something that I will always remember. The case studies during this course were very helpful in understanding how to approach different situations. The presentations that students gave on various topics and case studies, allowed me to see what others’ perspectives were on different situations, too. Using the Potter’s Box, Kidder’s checklist, and the five ethical principles are guiding tools to help make practical decisions.