Ethical Considerations in Routine Journalism

In the journalistic world, there are ethical considerations that journalists must reflect on in their routine journalism duties. A disregard of these may consequently lead to implications that have a major impact on a journalist’s career. However it is understandable why many journalists choose to disregard the ethical considerations they may be faced with. Both institutional and commercial pressures can play a role in a journalist’s disregard for ethical considerations in their job. Although journalists are provided with guidelines to follow when faced with ethical issues the desire to please and perform can outweigh the desire to do what is morally right.

This essay will explore the ethical considerations and implications of routine journalism. This includes issues such as institutional and commercial pressures and unethical ‘cover-ups’ journalists commit. I will discuss the cases of the Victorian bushfires, the ‘Cash for Comment’ scandal, and the Pakistani cricket spot fixing scandal to illustrate how the ethical considerations have been handled. I will also attempt to illustrate the links between routine journalism and these specific cases to the ethical guidelines and theories journalists can draw from.

Routine journalism can be defined as “the good, plain, solid, honest, professional news reporting that is produced through the daily methods and standard practices of journalists” (Potter, W. J. pg 352). Therefore it refers to what is considered to be the ‘normal’ tasks of a journalist. Some tasks include “Misleading their sources, using hidden cameras...conducting ambush interviews, recreating events and even breaking the law” (Fitzpatrick, K & P. pg 88). Therefore ethical considerations and implications will follow on from these news gathering techniques.

For example, invading people’s privacy through an act such as a ‘death knock’ is considered to be routine journalism. As expected, ethical considerations and implications arise around this