This class taught me important ethical lessons that can be translated into my future here at Penn State, and my career once I graduate. I have taken Comm 260 last spring, and all we had learned was how to write articles. We learned the AP style, and I had thought that this was all that was needed to write an article. It turns out that ethical considerations must be take account of. One important lesson that I had learned in this class regarded photographs in news articles. Being that there are times when I am not too sensitive, I believed that it was alright to publish a photo if the subject of the picture said so. It turns out that a picture should not be published if it is distasteful, and does more harm than good. A second valuable lesson that was learned in this class was that if you cut corners, you will lose significant amounts of credibility. In the film Shattered Glass, Stephen Glass had fabricated stories, and this cost him hos job, and his career as a journalist.
One case study that I have learned that impressed me was about how to report antisocial behavior. The example that was used was about the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting. There are careful terms that must be used to describe horrific events such as these, and journalists must be sure not to report what they know, and make it very clear when they do not know certain details. Transparency is key when it comes to reporting on acts of violence.
This course will help me become a more ethical journalist, and help me become a better writer. I have been able to learn when something should be written, and when you must take the high route to ensure that no one will be offended, or anyone’s privacy will not be invaded. Throughout Comm 409 I have learned to put myself in someone else’s shoes, and think how would I feel if someone had written an article about me that put me in an unfavorable light.
I generally enjoyed this course. I have used the knowledge in this course, and applied to my other courses that are writing intensive. I know how something should be phrased to appease both parties of a story, and hope to be able to transfer these skills to any internships in my future, and a career once I leave Penn State.