Two important ethical lessons from the lectures/case studies
One of the most important ethical lessons I took away form from the lectures and case studies was from John Beale’s presentation on ethical decision making in photo journalism. At one point in his presentation, he showed the class graphic photos photojournalists took and asked students if they should be published or not. There were many photos I would not have published but in the end, he revealed that all of the photos he shared were published — and that he took them.
Many students, including myself were shocked that those photos were published, as well as the fact that he took the photos to begin with instead of intervening and helping the people involved in the scene (E.g., He took a photo of a woman who was burning alive in a car crash). It proved the fact that while “ethics” is a matter of right and wrong — which is supposed to provide clear, concrete answers for how to behave — no one person would make the same ethical decisions.
Clearly, there is no clear right and wrong in many ethical decision making situations.
Another ethical lesson that stuck with me was actually a lesson we touched on on the last day of class — the digitally constructed video of Barack Obama made by resources at the University of Washington. That particularly stuck with me because it proves that even though the video was incredibly convincing to practically everyone that the video was real, it wasn’t. It showed that people consuming the media need to be vigilant at all times that what they are consuming is in fact real.
One case study you learned that impressed you the most, and why
One case study I learned that impressed me the most was about the Rolling Stone story covering the rape of a student.
I found it particularly noteworthy because it highlights the balance that needs to be taken in today’s journalism climate of respecting and being understanding of a survivor’s needs, while also finding ways to confirm that a situation like a rape really did occur. It is important to believe survivors, but it is just as important to check out the credibility of the situation because any ethical journalist has to do that.
Envision the course’s impact on you the most and why/Your reflection on the course as a whole
This course has expanded my knowledge in ethical decision making today and in the future of my journalism career. The case studies and lectures we studies have added to my frames of reference for decisions I may be faced with in the future. I’m also glad that the course required me to branch out with other communications students — not only to gather opinions and perspectives on ethical decision making, but to become acquainted with more people who will be entering similar professions.