Intro to EthicsIntro to Ethics

EthicsEthics

The branch of philosophy that deals The branch of philosophy that deals with right and wrongwith right and wrong

System of moral principlesSystem of moral principles Ethical conduct is the best defense Ethical conduct is the best defense

against censorshipagainst censorship What is censorship?What is censorship?

CensorshipCensorship

Occurs when officials prevent the Occurs when officials prevent the printing or broadcasting of material printing or broadcasting of material they consider objectionablethey consider objectionable

““A country that tolerates censorship A country that tolerates censorship of the press cannot truly be free.”of the press cannot truly be free.” David Kennedy, president of the David Kennedy, president of the

American Society of Journalists and American Society of Journalists and AuthorsAuthors

What does this mean?What does this mean?

Article I—ConstitutionArticle I—Constitution

““Congress shall make no Congress shall make no lawlaw respecting an establishment of respecting an establishment of religion, or speech, or of the pressreligion, or speech, or of the press; or ; or of the right of the people peaceably of the right of the people peaceably to to assembleassemble, and to petition the , and to petition the government for a redress of government for a redress of grievances.”grievances.”

Not all speech is freeNot all speech is free

Fist Amendment gives great Fist Amendment gives great opportunity to speak and writeopportunity to speak and write

Does not protect EVERYTHINGDoes not protect EVERYTHING Schools are very different in what Schools are very different in what

they can allow their media to say and they can allow their media to say and writewrite

Speech NOT ProtectedSpeech NOT Protected

ObscenityObscenity Material that offends the local Material that offends the local

community standards and lacks any community standards and lacks any serious artistic purposeserious artistic purpose

Fighting WordsFighting Words Racial, ethnic, gender, or religious insultsRacial, ethnic, gender, or religious insults School officials are permitted to ban School officials are permitted to ban

them from campusthem from campus This includes gang clothingThis includes gang clothing

Speech NOT ProtectedSpeech NOT Protected

Invasion of PrivacyInvasion of Privacy Student’s academic and medical records Student’s academic and medical records

are confidentialare confidential Copyright ViolationsCopyright Violations

Any kind of plagiarism is a violation of Any kind of plagiarism is a violation of copyright lawcopyright law

LibelLibel False information that damages False information that damages

someone’s reputation (printed or someone’s reputation (printed or broadcast)broadcast)

Steps to Avoid LibelSteps to Avoid Libel

Check and recheck all factsCheck and recheck all facts Find more than one source before Find more than one source before

publishing material that could be publishing material that could be viewed as damagingviewed as damaging

Remember that fairness dictates that Remember that fairness dictates that reporter contact the individual about reporter contact the individual about whom they are writingwhom they are writing

Answers to WorksheetAnswers to Worksheet

Composite characters: fictional characters a news Composite characters: fictional characters a news writer creates by using characteristics of real writer creates by using characteristics of real people.people.

Right of Reply: (simultaneous rebuttal) permitting Right of Reply: (simultaneous rebuttal) permitting a person criticized in a story to respond to that a person criticized in a story to respond to that criticism in the same storycriticism in the same story

Plagiarism: taking and using as one’s own the Plagiarism: taking and using as one’s own the writings or inventions of another personwritings or inventions of another person

Privileged statements: statements made on the Privileged statements: statements made on the floor of Congress, the state legislature or a floor of Congress, the state legislature or a courtroom that, if published, are immune from courtroom that, if published, are immune from libel suits.libel suits.

Answers (cont)Answers (cont) Fair comment: a libel defense protecting a Fair comment: a libel defense protecting a

journalist’s opinion of a public figure or review of journalist’s opinion of a public figure or review of books, records, etc.books, records, etc.

Prior restraint: censorship, or restraint in advance Prior restraint: censorship, or restraint in advance of publication; almost always illegal.of publication; almost always illegal.

Credibility: the ability to be believed and trustedCredibility: the ability to be believed and trusted Objectivity: ability to make fair, neutral Objectivity: ability to make fair, neutral

observations about people and eventsobservations about people and events In loco parentisIn loco parentis: the legal idea that school : the legal idea that school

authorities acting “in place of the parent”authorities acting “in place of the parent” Forum Theory: the idea that once a forum or Forum Theory: the idea that once a forum or

place where ideas are exchanged, is created, the place where ideas are exchanged, is created, the ideas expressed there cannot later be controlledideas expressed there cannot later be controlled