Over the course of the semester, I have learned a myriad of things pertaining to the ethical world of journalism and news media. Moving forward, I know that the knowledge I have gained through this course will be applicable to the professional world. While the best course of action to make an ethical decision is not always clear, I feel as though I have the proper tools to analyze and decide on the proper course of action in situations pertaining to ethics.
Having said this, two of the most important things that I learned about ethics in this course are the importance of taking responsibility for the accuracy of the information you and others report on, and showing compassion for the public you serve. These two principles of journalism may seem obvious but I have learned that mistakes are often made in the world of journalism. To combat this, The Society of Professional Journalists has created a code of ethics that sets out to ensure that the exchange of information is accurate fair and thorough. The SPJ’s first tenant is “Seek Truth and Report It” which includes the importance of taking responsibility for one’s work (SPJ, 2014). Our case study on Stephen Glass highlights the importance of being competent in the ways that you go about reporting information. In Glass’ case he fabricated several articles in order to further his professional career. This is extremely unethical as it provides the people you aim to inform with misinformation, but it also reflects poorly on the organization that has employed you. I think the importance of responsibility is one of the most important things that I have learned in this course, and something that is definitely applicable to the real world.
The second important thing that I learned during this course is the importance of compassion for those you aim to inform as well as journalism as a whole. The SPJ’s second tenant is entitled “Minimize Harm,” and details many of the ways journalists should go about covering stories while also being mindful of potentially harmful information (SPJ, 2014). This idea encompasses many of the ideas we have covered in lecture including word choice and reporting on controversial issues. This idea of minimizing harm has made me realize that covering stories in a nuanced way that is mindful of the ideas and feelings of those who read them is extremely important.
Overall, I believe COMM 409 has been a great learning experience. I will continue to use the information that I have learned throughout this course for the reminder of my professional career. As previously stated, the Stephen Glass case study was my favorite because it provided the greatest insight into how ethics affect the entirety of a journalists’ career. I think Dr. Zhong did a good job curating information as well as case studies that can be applicable to professional settings. I believe that the information that I have learned throughout this course will benefit me in the future.