One of the first lessons we learned regarding deception in reporting is one of the more important ethical issues we covered. In class, we discussed when it is acceptable for reporters to use deception while gathering information. We discussed that it is only acceptable for a reporter to practice deception while reporting only if it leads to the uncovering of a vital truth. Some of the ways reporters can go about this is by going undercover and pretending to be someone else, giving a source the impression that you know more (or less) than you really do known as “bluffing a source”, and even using hidden cameras, although that is not as popular of a method among journalists. It was also made clear that a journalist can never deceive their audience or their colleagues. Another important ethical issue we covered was respecting peoples’ privacy. During the Invasion of privacy lecture, we learned that there are four categories of privacy that must be respected: Intrusion on solitude, publication of irrelevant, embarrassing private facts, creating a false impression of a person, and appropriating someone’s picture for personal gain. It is important for journalists to respect the privacy of individuals because once the press goes too far, it can become harassment. Princess Diana was killed in a car accident while trying to flee reporters pursuing her car. As important as the free press is, Although this example comes from a foreign media landscape, it should not come at the cost of an innocent human life. 

One of the most memorable case studies we discussed throughout the year was the case fo Brian Williams, lying about being on a helicopter that was struck with an RPG. I was so impressed by this case because I watched Brian Williams frequently on NBC’s nightly news for years. At one point, I even looked up to him as a role model; the epitome of what any young journalist would want to be. When the truth came to light and he ended up losing his job, I was absolutely shocked that he turned out to have very little regard for journalistic ethics. Although I was sad to see him fall from grace, I was also happy to see that NBC, one of the largest networks in the world, held him accountable, and showed that ethics in journalism really is important. Occasionally, I will catch him on The 11th Hour, and I always wondered if he doctored any other stories–perhaps even one I saw before he got demoted–that he altered.

I hope to one day be a lawyer, and ethics in the legal industry is very vital to the system, as it is in journalism. The media, as with the legal system, revolve around people telling the truth. In order to be a successful lawyer who serves his client’s interests to the absolute best of their ability, they must be trustworthy, and have great ethical standards. When journalists violate ethical codes, they can lose their jobs, as in the case of Stephen Glass or Jayson Blair. Lawyers found guilty of ethical violations not only run the risk of losing their jobs,  they could potentially even lose their license to practice, and will be formally banned from the profession. The legal system is built around telling the truth, which goes hand-in-hand with ethics. 

C409.3 has taught me that ethics is a discipline, and a principle. Before taking this class, I believed ethics was simply right and wrong. This course broke down numerous ethical dilemmas in society which helped to understand the big-picture need for ethics. Hypothetically speaking, if not for one’s right to privacy, journalists would be allowed to essentially harass their subjects to get what they want, which essentially turns the press into a weapon. One of the biggest things I took away from that class is that it is clear that the majority of people do not have a great understanding of ethics. Before I took this class, I was one of those people, and now I believe that I fully understand the idea of ethics.