1. Intro to Ethics

2. Ethics The branch of philosophy that deals with right and wrong The branch of philosophy that deals with right and wrong System of moral principles System of moral principles Ethical conduct is the best defense against censorship Ethical conduct is the best defense against censorship What is censorship? What is censorship?

3. Censorship Occurs when officials prevent the printing or broadcasting of material they consider objectionable Occurs when officials prevent the printing or broadcasting of material they consider objectionable “A country that tolerates censorship of the press cannot truly be free.” “A country that tolerates censorship of the press cannot truly be free.” David Kennedy, president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors David Kennedy, president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors What does this mean? What does this mean?

4. Article I—Constitution “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

5. Not all speech is free Fist Amendment gives great opportunity to speak and write Fist Amendment gives great opportunity to speak and write Does not protect EVERYTHING Does not protect EVERYTHING Schools are very different in what they can allow their media to say and write Schools are very different in what they can allow their media to say and write

6. Speech NOT Protected Obscenity Obscenity Material that offends the local community standards and lacks any serious artistic purpose Material that offends the local community standards and lacks any serious artistic purpose Fighting Words Fighting Words Racial, ethnic, gender, or religious insults Racial, ethnic, gender, or religious insults School officials are permitted to ban them from campus School officials are permitted to ban them from campus This includes gang clothing This includes gang clothing

7. Speech NOT Protected Invasion of Privacy Invasion of Privacy Student’s academic and medical records are confidential Student’s academic and medical records are confidential Copyright Violations Copyright Violations Any kind of plagiarism is a violation of copyright law Any kind of plagiarism is a violation of copyright law Libel Libel False information that damages someone’s reputation (printed or broadcast) False information that damages someone’s reputation (printed or broadcast)

8. Steps to Avoid Libel Check and recheck all facts Check and recheck all facts Find more than one source before publishing material that could be viewed as damaging Find more than one source before publishing material that could be viewed as damaging Remember that fairness dictates that reporter contact the individual about whom they are writing Remember that fairness dictates that reporter contact the individual about whom they are writing

9. Answers to Worksheet Composite characters: fictional characters a news writer creates by using characteristics of real people. Composite characters: fictional characters a news writer creates by using characteristics of real people. Right of Reply: (simultaneous rebuttal) permitting a person criticized in a story to respond to that criticism in the same story Right of Reply: (simultaneous rebuttal) permitting a person criticized in a story to respond to that criticism in the same story Plagiarism: taking and using as one’s own the writings or inventions of another person Plagiarism: taking and using as one’s own the writings or inventions of another person Privileged statements: statements made on the floor of Congress, the state legislature or a courtroom that, if published, are immune from libel suits. Privileged statements: statements made on the floor of Congress, the state legislature or a courtroom that, if published, are immune from libel suits.

10. Answers (cont) Fair comment: a libel defense protecting a journalist’s opinion of a public figure or review of books, records, etc. Fair comment: a libel defense protecting a journalist’s opinion of a public figure or review of books, records, etc. Prior restraint: censorship, or restraint in advance of publication; almost always illegal. Prior restraint: censorship, or restraint in advance of publication; almost always illegal. Credibility: the ability to be believed and trusted Credibility: the ability to be believed and trusted Objectivity: ability to make fair, neutral observations about people and events Objectivity: ability to make fair, neutral observations about people and events In loco parentis: the legal idea that school authorities acting “in place of the parent” In loco parentis: the legal idea that school authorities acting “in place of the parent” Forum Theory: the idea that once a forum or place where ideas are exchanged, is created, the ideas expressed there cannot later be controlled Forum Theory: the idea that once a forum or place where ideas are exchanged, is created, the ideas expressed there cannot later be controlled