Moral Difficulties Involved in War Reporting
Moral Difficulties Involved in War Reporting
Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………….page 3
Historical perspective on the evolution of journalistic ethics……………….page 4
Deontology and Utilitarianism………………………………………………page 5
Ethical Dilemma: Should reporters ever leak and/or publish classified information in a time of war? Arguments in favour……………...page 5
Ethical dilemma: Should reporters ever leak and/or publish classified information in a time of war? Arguments opposed………………page 6
Applying principles of Deontology and Utilitarianism to the ethical dilemma………………………………………………………page 8
Conclusion….………………………………………………………………page 10
Bibliography………………………………………………………………...page 11
Introduction
Journalists covering wars and conflicts are faced with numerous ethical dilemmas regarding professional codes of conduct, laws regulating national security and personal commitments to ideals such as the public’s right to know, and acting as the fourth estate (with the first three estates being the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government).
Of the ethical theories we studied in the Communication Ethics course, I chose to compare and contrast Deontology and Utilitarianism, describe how they apply to a specific moral difficulty, and detail what conclusions can be drawn.
For brevity sake, I have left out such theories as Justice and Fairness, Care Ethics, Virtue Ethics, and Moral Intuition as described by Jordin and Beaken (2009). I have also left out numerous other dilemmas, such as the role advocacy or bias plays in the journalism profession as it relates to war and conflict.
Here are just a few of the contemporary moral difficulties that could be examined:
1. Should reporters use neutral labels to describe terrorists? When is a terrorist a terrorist?
2. When can wartime photos and video incite violence? What are the journalist's responsibilities?
3. Should reporters ever leak and/or publish
Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………….page 3
Historical perspective on the evolution of journalistic ethics……………….page 4
Deontology and Utilitarianism………………………………………………page 5
Ethical Dilemma: Should reporters ever leak and/or publish classified information in a time of war? Arguments in favour……………...page 5
Ethical dilemma: Should reporters ever leak and/or publish classified information in a time of war? Arguments opposed………………page 6
Applying principles of Deontology and Utilitarianism to the ethical dilemma………………………………………………………page 8
Conclusion….………………………………………………………………page 10
Bibliography………………………………………………………………...page 11
Introduction
Journalists covering wars and conflicts are faced with numerous ethical dilemmas regarding professional codes of conduct, laws regulating national security and personal commitments to ideals such as the public’s right to know, and acting as the fourth estate (with the first three estates being the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government).
Of the ethical theories we studied in the Communication Ethics course, I chose to compare and contrast Deontology and Utilitarianism, describe how they apply to a specific moral difficulty, and detail what conclusions can be drawn.
For brevity sake, I have left out such theories as Justice and Fairness, Care Ethics, Virtue Ethics, and Moral Intuition as described by Jordin and Beaken (2009). I have also left out numerous other dilemmas, such as the role advocacy or bias plays in the journalism profession as it relates to war and conflict.
Here are just a few of the contemporary moral difficulties that could be examined:
1. Should reporters use neutral labels to describe terrorists? When is a terrorist a terrorist?
2. When can wartime photos and video incite violence? What are the journalist's responsibilities?
3. Should reporters ever leak and/or publish
Bibliography: ALTERMAN, Eric (2003). What liberal media? New York, Basic Books. BAUDER, Julia (2009). Media ethics. Michigan, Greenhaven Press. BERKOWITZ, Bill (2003). Escalating secrecy wars. WorkingForChange.com, 9 July. [online]. Last accessed 21 Dec. 2009 at: http://www.alternet.org/story/16369/ BRUCE, James (2007) BURNS, Eric (2006). Infamous scribblers. New York, Public Affairs. HATCHEN, William (2000). Reporting the Gulf War. In: Graber, Mark A., Media Power in politics. Washington D.C., CQ Press, pp. 304-312. JORDIN, Martin. Ethical Theories. In: Communication ethics, Revised (2009) by Beaken, Mike. Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, pp. 14-30. MITCHELL, Greg (2008). So wrong for so long. New York, Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. RICHARDS, Ian (2005). Quagmires and quandaries: exploring journalism ethics. Australia, University of New South Wales Press Ltd. SCHOENFELD, Gabriel (2007). Why journalists are not above the law. Commentarymagazine.com, Feb. [online]. Last accessed 20 Dec. 2009 at: http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/why-journalists-are-not-above-the-law-10827 TAPPER, Jake (2001). Bush scolds Congress. Salon.com, 9 Oct. [online]. Last accessed 20 Dec. 2009 at: http://www.salon.com/politics/feature/2001/10/09/bush/index1.html