Moral Reasoning for Journalists: Cases and Commentary / Edition 1

by Steven Knowlton

Overview

The nature of journalism requires that an ethical decision be made at every stage. While many of these decisions lead to obvious choices, many present thorny problems; some questions may be so subtle that they are not even noticed consciously by the journalist. This up-to-date collection of more than two dozen real-life cases illustrates the moral issues facing contemporary American journalists. It will help students hone their reasoning skills, encouraging them to think rationally and act with integrity. The cases are presented in substantial detail to provide students with a realistic sense of the complexity of issues facing journalists today.

Knowlton, a veteran journalist and teacher, combines his experience of more than 30 years in the field with extensive interviews with dozens of today's top journalists, so that each case is presented with commentary and thought-provoking analysis. Discussion questions at the end of each case analysis probe the depth of the ethical concerns raised. This book can be used as a stand-alone text, as a supplemental casebook, or in conjunction with the companion anthology, The Journalist's Moral Compass: Basic Principles (Praeger, 1994).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275948726
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	06/30/1997
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	234
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	1330L (what's this?)

About the Author

STEVEN R. KNOWLTON is Associate Professor of Journalism at Hofstra University. He has been a reporter, editor, photographer, and newspaper owner for more than 30 years. He is coeditor of The Journalist's Moral Compass: Basic Principles (Praeger, 1994).

Table of Contents

Preface

A Note to instructors

Locating Ethical Journalism in the Western Tradition

Introduction to Ethical Thinking

The Political Case for Moral Reasoning in Journalism

The Philosophical Case for Moral Reasoning in Journalism

The Economic Case for Moral Reasoning in Journalism

Objectivity: Is It Possible? Should We Still Try?

Privacy: How to Balance It Against the Right to Know

How to Solve Moral Dilemmas: Balancing Competing Elements

Case Studies: Tough Calls from the Front Lines of Contemporary Journalism

The Suicide of Admiral Boorda: Did the Press Hound Him to His Death?

The Haunting Profile of Meir Kahane: Should Past Sins Be Emphasized?

A Candidate's Past: News, Political Manipulation or Mere Pandering?

Peeking at Tonya Harding's E-mail: Serious Invasion or Trivial Excess?

Central Park Assault Victim: We Know Everything but Who She Is

The Brilliant Student with the Dark Past: How Much Is Relevant?

Sex in an Elevator: Legitimate News or Sophomoric Titillation?

Suicide: Important News or a Grotesque Invasion of Privacy?

Unnamed Accusers: Sex, Abuse of Power, and an Election, Too

In Politics, How Far Back Is It Fair to Go?

When the Law Asks for Help: What Is an Independent Journalist to Do?

The Graffiti Artists: Turn 'Em In, Get the Story, or Both?

Connie Chung: Did She Sandbag the New Speaker's Mom?

Primary Authorship: Can You Lie About Your Other Job?

A Reporter with AIDS: Depth of Understanding or Obvious Bias?

How Close Is Too Close When the Subject Is a Scared Little Girl?

The Exploding Truck: If It Doesn't Have Pictures, It's Not Good TV

Should TV Cameras Record an Execution?

Tears on Tape: Why Must We Film Grief?

How Real Is the Wall Between Advertising and the News Side?

The "Revisionist" Ads on the Holocaust: What Should Student Editors Do?

Speaking Fees: Honest Moonlighting or an Invitation to Corruption?

Celebrity Interviews: Is There Real News Amidst the Puff?

A Lorena Bobbitt Update: Paint My Nails, Answer My Questions

Ruth Snyder: Still Dead But Now Her Picture Is Mainstream

Composite Pictures: New Possibilities or Just More Credibility Trouble?

The Grisly War Photo: Powerful Information, But What About Taste?

Taking Journalism Hostage: Should We Print Under Threats?

Can We Fix the Problems? Should We Try?

Bibliography

Index