TOPIC 15 : ETHICS IN THE MEDIA
What about ethics
Moral obligation / moral reasoning
Making difficult moral choices . How to make ethical judgements
It is about social responsibility
Ethics : is a branch of philosophy that deals the moral component of human lives and is usually referred to as moral philosophy.
Ethical issues in communication are predominantly seen in issues of information validity and consistency,
factual truth and the obligation to safeguard and maintain personal privacy.
Access to computer systems, software piracy, intellectual property, confidentiality, fraud, misrepresentation of
information, privacy and confidential items, human liberty and valid news.
Ehical situation are usually complex affairs.
The principle behind communication ethics is:
- that a person is given the right to information based on its truthfulness and validity.
- He or she is given the choice to evaluate the information.
Importance of ethics
By adopting communication ethics :
we are actually observing that setbacks in a communication such as the manipulation of facts and truth can be
stopped in a communication process.
ethics in communication conveys respect towards the individual group, or institution involved.
By adhering to guidelines in communication ethics, no one person can be forced to comply with the values of others.
Personal rights and freedom from disturbance remains the main issue in the cyber world.
On the outset, online communication understood to be a private property is actually being transgressed by advertisers on the Internet.
Interactive media such as e-mail, access to database and the home shopping network is a form of information
on consumers, compiled by international marketers.
You may have noticed the “banner” advertisements that pops out of the Internet while you are surfing, without even asking for it.
Privacy
The right to control unwanted publicity about one’s personal life or affairs and to be left alone.
Invasion of privacy by the media : physical space or publication of embarrassing personal information.
Journalism Code : Malaysia
Malaysian Press reiterates its belief in the principles of Rukunegara and the national aspirations contained therein;
It acknowledges its role in contributing to the process of nation-building.
It recognizes its duty to contribute fully to the promotion of racial harmony and national unity.
It recognises communism, racialism and religious extremism as grave threats to national well-being and security.
It believes in a liberal, tolerant, democratic society and in the traditional role of a free and responsible Press
serving the people by faithfully reporting facts without fear or favor.
It believes that a credible press is an asset to the nation.
It believes in upholding standards of social morality.
It believes that there must be no restrictions on the entry of Malaysians into the profession.
It believes that the Press has a duty to contribute to the formation of public policy.
Malaysian Press does hereby adhere to the following Canons of Journalism:
The primary responsibility of the Malaysian journalist is to report facts accurately and faithfully and to
respect the right of the public to the truth.
In pursuant of this duty he shall uphold the fundamental freedom in the honest collection of news and the
right to fair comment and criticism.
He shall use only proper methods to obtain news, photographs/films and documents.
It shall be his duty to rectify and publish information found to be incorrect.
He shall respect the confidentiality of the source of information.
He shall uphold standards of morality in the performance of his duties and shall avoid plagiarism,
calumny or slander, libel, sedition, unfounded accusations or acceptance of bribe in any form.
He shall avoid publication of news or reports, communal or extremist in nature, or contrary to
the moral value of multiracial Malaysia.
It shall be incumbent upon him to understand public and national policies pertaining to the profession.