Download PDF - International Center for Journalists
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Journalism Ethics: The Global Debate<br />
5. Discuss the central dilemma in this<br />
case: Which is worse, from an<br />
ethical point of view: an owner<br />
who has a strong political line or<br />
one representing a corporation<br />
whose only motive is profit?<br />
Javier Dario Restrepo<br />
In this case, media critic Restrepo is<br />
not concerned about possible political<br />
bias. He raises a new, perhaps more<br />
ominous, issue: He fears the<br />
corporation’s drive to make a profit <strong>for</strong><br />
its shareholders will convert news into<br />
just another product, like “shoes or<br />
shirts,” in which market values will<br />
overwhelm ethics and public service.<br />
“On a daily basis, journalists have to<br />
resolve the dilemma over whom to<br />
serve: owners of the media or society,”<br />
he says.<br />
Questions <strong>for</strong> Discussion<br />
1. Do journalists and media owners<br />
hold the same values?<br />
2. In what ways can ownership affect<br />
how the news is reported?<br />
3. Are there ways <strong>for</strong> individual<br />
journalists to retain their<br />
independence even though they<br />
work <strong>for</strong> someone who has special<br />
interests?<br />
6. What kind of wall, if any, should<br />
exist in a news organization<br />
between those who make<br />
business decisions, such as<br />
selling advertisements, and those<br />
who make news decisions? How<br />
do journalists and representatives<br />
of the business side reach<br />
agreement on this question?<br />
7. To what extent may journalists<br />
hype or sensationalize news<br />
stories in pursuit of increased<br />
profits <strong>for</strong> owners?<br />
8. To what extent is it legitimate <strong>for</strong><br />
owners to change the journalistic<br />
approach and content in order to<br />
enhance profits?<br />
9. What are the ethical and<br />
journalistic dilemmas presented to<br />
journalists by having owners who<br />
do not place a high priority on<br />
journalistic values?<br />
10. To what extent are journalists<br />
ethically obliged to refuse orders<br />
from representatives of owners<br />
(or editors) when they feel they are<br />
being ordered to violate<br />
journalistic/ethical standards?<br />
11.<br />
4. If you were a media owner, do you<br />
think you would come to the same<br />
conclusions on ethical dilemmas<br />
that you do as a journalist?<br />
<strong>International</strong> <strong>Center</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Journalists</strong>
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