I took away a couple of important ethical lessons from Comm 409 this semester. (1) The time you take to evaluate a situation and consider all the options can make a crucial difference; (2) honest reporting is the best reporting. We often think that we don’t need to take the time to make these important decisions, but much of the breadth of options and possibilities remain hidden to us if we don’t dig deep during our evaluation process. I wasn’t aware of the amount of regulations related to journalism ethics prior to taking this course; previously, it appeared like many of these situations were fairly black and white to those that had experience in the industry. But in fact, so many different rules apply to even more subtopics. A great example of this is when and how (if at all) to employ deception in reporting. In certain specific situations, white lies or dishonesty can be appropriately used. However, using deception more often than absolutely necessary can dig you a hole. A reputation as an honest reporter will lead you much farther in the industry than someone that attempts to get ahead through misdirection.
The Shattered Glass case study definitely made an impact on me. The true story really showed how much dishonesty to that level can affect your career and everyone around you. Journalism is such a small community that your reputation follows you everywhere; this story was a perfect example of that principle. Stephen Glass’ actions brought down the public standing of the paper he represented, those responsible for publishing his work, those he worked with, and others. Journalism is truly a human field, and simply doing honest work will get you farther than anything else.
Even though I might not be going into journalism for a career, the lessons I learned in this course apply to every work industry, especially those that emphasize team work and communication with others. Even in daily life – personal relationships and family dynamics – being a person with a strong knowledge in ethical practices and how they translate to life will get far. A mistake in that area can ruin trust with others, and trust is one of the most important values between two people. The course was a great look at many different areas within the journalism industry and I feel much more knowledgeable about the area as a whole. I’ll definitely remember this class as one of the best I’ve taken at Penn State!