Journalism as Practice: MacIntyre, Virtue Ethics and the Press

by Sandra Borden

Overview

Technological innovation and conglomeration in communication industries has been accelerating the commodification of the news into just another product. The emphasis on the bottom line has resulted in newsroom budget cuts and other business strategies that seriously endanger good journalism. Meanwhile, the growing influence of the Internet and partisan commentary has led even journalists themselves to question their role. In Journalism as Practice, Sandra L. Borden shows that applying philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre's ideas of a 'practice' to journalism can help us to understand what is at stake for society and for those in the newsrooms who have made journalism their vocation. She argues that developing and promoting the kind of robust group identity implied by the idea of a practice can help journalism better withstand the moral challenges posed by commodification. Throughout, the book examines key U.S. journalism ethics cases since 2000. Some of these cases, such as Dan Rather‘s "Memogate" scandal, are explored in detail in Practically Speaking sections that discuss relevant cases at length. This book is essential reading for students and practicing journalists interested in preserving the ethical role of journalism in promoting the public good.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138437098
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/11/2017
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Sandra L. Borden is Associate Professor of Communication and Co-Director of the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society at Western Michigan University.

Table of Contents

Preface Ethics and the Commodification of Journalism Journalism as Practice The Tradition of Journalism A Theory of Journalism Practice-sustaining Virtues The Practice’s Role as a Moral Community Professionalism and the Practice A Common Cause Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

"This brilliant book is on fire intellectually, the best ever written on virtue ethics and journalism. Our debates are typically acrimonious over theory and practice, individuals and institutions, or citizens and professionals. Journalism As Practice blows these dead end arguments away. The field takes on a Himalayan majesty as practice; enduring values and commodification are phosphorescent by a gifted writer and thinker. Journalism As Practice is as distinguished as Alasdair MacIntrye's After Virtue on which it depends, and as astute as Good Work. While the field has been oriented to principlism, virtue ethics has now established itself with a distinction of permanent importance."—Clifford Christians, University of Illinois-Urbana, USA

"Borden’s book demonstrates why journalism has matured from a craft into a profession. By linking responsible conduct to ethics beginning with Aristotle, Borden demonstrates why economic success will never be a sufficient measure of journalistic excellence. Journalism as Practice provides would-be journalists with a road map to virtuous individual acts within a professional community. The author’s concept of a strong community is a good foundation for a working lifetime."—Lee Wilkins, Editor, Journal of Mass Media Ethics

"There is much to be admired in the book. Bringing MacIntyre and Code, as well as other neo-Aristotelian ethical theorists, into the conversation about journalism's role in a democratic society is valuable. The book is rich with examples that attempt to put ethical theory into practice, and it would be appropriate for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students in journalism programmes. But perhaps the book's greatest value is the questions that are left unsolved. A reader leaves the book with more questions than he or she started with, and, in my book, that's a good thing."—Journa of Mass Media

From the Publisher