Ethics & Functions of the Press

Chapter 2—Responsibilities of the

Media

Political function“watchdog” of governmentProvide information to audience to make political decisions

Cover the details of government activities

Watch for scandal and wrongdoing

Functions of the Press

Economic FunctionThrough ads, press informs public of items for sale

Ads pay for the newspaper and news broadcasts

Functions of the Press

Sentry FunctionPress must report not only what is happening today, but also what is likely to happen tomorrow.

Examples: technological changes, youth culture, new lifestyles, change in criminal justice, habits of energy

Functions of the Press

Record Keeping FunctionAccurate record of local, national and world news

Election resultsLaws passedPrice of oilObituariesSports scoresBankruptcyMarriage licensesDivorcesRunning for officeBirths (if reported)

Functions of the Press

Entertainment FunctionDiversions from stressComicsEntertaining featuresPicturesJumbleCrosswordhoroscopes

Functions of the Press

Social FunctionSubstitute of simpler relationships of the past

Replace the neighborly conversations of the past

More focused on local news

Functions of the Press

Marketplace FunctionForum of ideas to be presentedEditorial sectionCitizens use to achieve a goal

Agenda-setting FunctionThey don’t tell us what to think, they

tell us what to think aboutWhat we talk about and address

(H1N1, MRSA)Who sets the agenda for the media?

Functions of the Press

EthicsValues placed on right and wrong;

honesty, fair play, justiceHigh standards are set for

journalists because there are no set laws—other than libel and slander—for journalists to abide by.

Ethical Practices

Emphasis on ethical standards, which gains respect from the audience and other journalists

Legally, you can’t keep a bad journalist from reporting—however, it affects circulation and ratings.

It is up to reporters to earn credibility for themselves through the observation of the Code of Ethics

Credibility

Staying neutral while reporting on a story

Can be very difficult to do in an emotional/political/ religious story

Objectivity

Spoken defamation of characterFalls under the libel lawsBest defense against libel/slander is truth and good reporting

Slander

As long as attribution is given, any statements given in a public forum (congress, senate, courtroom) are immune from libel charges

Privileged Statements

Giving an opinion based upon facts

Comments must be limitedReviews of entertainment(movies, plays, concerts)

Fair Comment

Once the government creates and allows a forum, it cannot control the ideas that are expressed there.

Forum Theory

Other Points to Ponder…Good Taste

Things to avoid:SensationalismProfanityGlorifying

Crime

Handle sex & crime stories with caution!

Right of ReplyIf you print or air

criticism of someone, you should allow them the chance to reply in the same story!

Other Points to Ponder…Fairness to all

Everyone should be treated equally in news stories

Ex: gender, religion, politics, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.

PlagiarismDo not claim

others’ works as your own.

Must give attribution to all sources

Attribution—giving credit to original author of work

“Only when the decision to censor a school-sponsored publication, theatrical production, or other vehicle of student expression has no valid educational purpose”

Principal= the publisher & acts on behalf of the citizens of the district

Original case: story on divorce blocked due to invasion of privacy—unnamed student could be easily identified

Hazelwood vs. Kuhlmeier—1988 Supreme Court case