Ashley Burningham
Reference:
Schminke, M. (2009). EDITOR'S COMMENTS: THE BETTER ANGELS OF OUR NATURE--ETHICS AND INTEGRITY IN THE PUBLISHING PROCESS. Academy Of Management Review, 34(4), 586-591. doi:10.5465/AMR.2009.44882922
Theme:
While there are clear ethical standards for journalists, they aren't formally audited and many of them are unethical.
Summary:
- Journalism isn't monitored by a formal auditing process.
- Work depends on foundation of individual professionalism and responsibility.
- Ethics = fairness
- Reporters use "I didn't know" excuse.
- Some reporters have a formal review that evaluates theorizing, analysis, and conclusions, but it isn't common.
- Some journalists are unaware of ethical standards.
- Academy of Management Code of Ethics identifies both general principles and specific standards.
- Three principles: 1. responsibility 2. Integrity 3. Respect for people's rights and dignity
- Includes human relations, privacy, public statements, research and publication, and ascribing to the code of ethics
- No plagiarism
- Not all journalists are ethical.
- Submit papers similar to old rejected ones
- Serendipity in identifying problematic discovery
- Regular for experienced authors to violate
- Most ethical violations are intentional.
- Plausible deniability= ignorant/innocent
- Wide variety of unethical actions
Application to Lesson Topic:
The lesson this week had to do with ethical components of media coverage. This article discusses the ethical standards for journalists and describes possible excuses for unethical actions by journalists. It also notes that many experiences journalists intentionally practice unethically.
Application to Emergency Services:
It is important to understand the entire picture revolved around journalism. It is important to understand that not all journalists are intentionally unethical. While journalists can make the job of emergency responders more difficult, it is important to understand that they are only doing their job. We should strive to have a rapport with journalists to avoid unnecessary and unwanted media attention.
